Under 12 cup final winners 2006/2007 seU12's Season 2006/7

Manager :- Gary Roberts
Tel 07966441459

With the new season came many new players. 7 new players came in and 8 players left, either due to academy recruiting or down to personal choice and choosing an easier standard to play at. As we began our 3rd year in the A Division, expectation and belief in the squad was high. An open day away win 3-1 against last years cup winners, got the lads off to the perfect start. Then came, what was to be our Achilles heal, a team of tall, strong hoof it type footballers which cost us through out the season on set plays. With the team out playing, with great triangle football, 90% of the teams in the league, we would regularly come un done on set pieces through out the season. This said, I would rather watch our type of play, week in week out, than resort to the long ball, playing off the big guy at set pieces, football which we probably did last year!

Finishing on level points with 5th place, the pinnacle of the season was undoubtedly the Cup Final win against Wickersley Youth.

Played on a glorious day, on an average pitch and starting as favourites, Brampton Boys started poorly. No battling, no challenging and little composure or silky type football, which we had come to take for granted, looked like we had bottled it on the day. Going in at half time down 2-1, after a Josh Scully left foot wonder strike, for only the second time this season, the boys had a verbal dressing down. My motivational talk worked a treat as we fell to a sloppy third goal within 5 mins of the restart. This was the catalyst for the boys to stand up and be counted. A Jordan Slack headed goal was followed by a Jack Hawkins leveller as the defence grew strong, the midfield started to battle and the forwards began to cause problems, linking up with the midfield as we had done all season. The crowd could sense a result. In the 35th minute, brave play from Jordan Slack saw the ball creep over the line. The game restarted and 2 mins later, an unbelievable 37th min penalty was awarded for what I am still to realise! At 4-4 and 2 cardiac arrests, extra time came and went and penalties were to decide the winner. After 4-4 in pens, took and scored by Sam Lomas, Josh Scully, Jordan Slack and Jack Hawkins, the leagues best keeper showed why I / we rate him so highly. As at Handsworth in a previous round, Ralph Hollister pulled a save off out of the top draw. With the ever confident Jordan Anglesea up next, the penalty shoot out was won before the ball was kicked.

A day which can't be bought. A game that had everything. A team that never knows when it is beat. At the third time of asking, following three successive years in the final, my team did me proud and won what was deservedly theirs, the LEAGUE CUP FINAL.

The league officials gave the MOM award to Josh Scully and My MOM was awarded to Ashley Knowles, who came on and gave much needed strength and leader ship.

Overall, I feel blessed and very proud to have been able to manage a team of outstanding football players this year. We have always had great players but this is by far the strongest squad in terms of team spirit. Parents be proud as I know I and the rest of BRAFC are of their achievements this year.

Lets take the league next year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave Lomas
BRAFC U12's Manageraon