APPLETON Boys U17s are celebrating after winning the Presidents Cup Final against table topping Haydock FC in a thrilling final that went to extra-time then a sudden death penalty shoot-out at Warrington Town FC.
League winners Haydock had only been beaten twice in the league all-year – once by Appleton.
But Appleton suffered a blow within the first 5 minutes as centre forward Alex Rimmer had to come off due to a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Callum Begg.
Haydock had most of the possession in the first 20 minutes, however Appleton had created the best chances. In the second part of the first half, everything was equal with both teams showing good skill and 100% commitment. Appleton were playing with the wind in the second half and once again created the best chances. However both the defences, particularly the goalkeepers made sure, with excellent performances, that at full time the score remained 0-0.
Within the first two minutes of extra time, Ben Sutcliffe ran down the right wing and into the box and his shot took a deflection into the back of the net.
The first half of extra time remained quite even, however, in the second half Haydock threw everything at Appleton, whose defence stood firm until two minutes from the final whistle, when Haydock scored the equaliser from a corner.
In an extremely tense and exciting end to the game, both teams had a chance each to win but the score remained 1-1 after extra-time.
Appleton won the toss and Dan Richards decided Appleton would take the first penalty. Unfortunately ABFC missed the first and Haydock scored the next 4 meaning that the ABFC goalkeeper, Man of the Match Callum O’Callaghan, had to save the penalty to take it to sudden death.
He saved the penalty and then he was the number 6 penalty taker. He scored his penalty and then saved the next penalty to be mobbed by his team-mates celebrating a wonderful, well deserved victory and an end to a very good season.
TEAM:
Callum O’Callaghan, Ben Hall, Dan Richards (captain) Rob Farrell, Euan Elder, Matt Butler, Kane Sullivan, Danny Slough, Ben Sutcliffe, Joe Farmer, Alex Rimmer
Subs Ajay Jani; Matthew Clayton and Callum Begg
