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West Kent Under 11s Gills Shield Champions

West Kent Under 11s Gills Shield Champions

History in the Making

On Saturday the 11 July 09, the West Kent U11’s football squad were up early for the Gills cup final against Thurrock FC.  West Kent were under a huge amount of pressure as winning the final would leave them the first team in history to win both the league and a cup.

The kick off was at 9.45am in perfect conditions for a match. Glyn Hayward the West Kent manager was waiting with the subs for the match to begin. The first half was very slow, both of the teams were extremely tired by the early kick off. When the whistle blew at half time a 0-0 result, the players met their managers for a talk and drink. It seemed during half time that the managers had pumped up all the players as after half time the teams were playing good football but one side were playing better at one stage which concluded to a great through ball by Jamie Twist to Sam Boyden who scored a cracking goal.

West Kent were given a huge boost after this.  With ten minutes to go both teams were playing excellent football, West Kent trying to keep their score, and Thurrock trying to equalise.  Both teams had been defending extremely well but with ten minutes to go Thurrock really turned up the pressure and West Kent responded with some fine defending play.  In the last seconds of the game the referee awarded a  penalty to Thurrock after an over enthusiastic challenge by the West Kent defence.    The Thurrock Captain came forward to take the penalty and unfortunately for him the shot went straight over the goal.

The Kent Schools Football Association has been running since 1929 and in this time no team has ever achieved a cup and league win in the same season.

West Kent had won the league, and the Gills Cup – they were history makers.

Match report by Christopher Cohen – West Kent Captain

Squad: David Challis(Woodlands School), Joe Graveney( St Matthews School), Ben Boyden(Sevenoaks School), Harry Franklin(St Peters School), Chris Cohen(C) St Johns School, Jamie Twist(Halling School), Harley Willard(Discovery School), Oli Alexander(Kings Hill School), Tashi Kwayie(Bidborough School), Sam Boyden(Sevenoaks School)Ross Nowers(Kemsing School)Callum Genery(St Augustines School), Michael Taylor(Pembury School), Stanley Thompson(West Kingsdown School), Jack Mayhew(Mereworth School)

 

Posted: Wed 15th July 2009 - 11:38

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