YOUTH FOOTBALL: East Coker Cockerels celebrate High Holborne Shield success

EAST Coker Cockerels Under-12s FC romped to a comfortable 5-1 victory in today’s (Sunday, May 8, 2016) High Holborne Shield cup final at a sun-drenched Huish Park.

Goals from Harry Morris, Henry Carver, Romy Williams, Benji Hayward and Ollie Crisp ensured East Coker would claim their sixth High Holborne Shield success in the 30-year history of the competition.

Yeovil Town manager Darren Way was at Huish Park – home of Yeovil Town – to watch the final and was impressed with East Coker.

He congratulated each player – as they went up to receive their winners’ awards – on playing their part in an all-round team effort.

But Way was also keen to stress that Avishayes had played their part in an entertaining and well-fought game and for not letting their heads drop.

You never know – Way might have also seen some future talent in the East Coker and Avishayes line-ups which he might look to snap up in the years ahead for the Glovers and the Football League.

Avishayes, who are based at Combe St Nicholas FC not far from Chard, were up against it from the start as East Coker started in superb style.

East Coker were 1-0 up within the first minute when Harry Morris netted in their opening raid of the final.

East Coker could have had the game sealed by the interval as they struck the woodwork three times, while they were also thwarted by a resolute defence and some great goalkeeping by Avishayes keeper Joshua Westwood.

Avishayes nearly found themselves back on level terms when number nine Bradley Putt saw an excellent shot turned away by East Coker keeper Liam Samways.

But it was East Coker who doubled their lead on 23 minutes when a shot from outside the box from Henry Carver beat Westwood.

Hopes Avishayes may have had of staging a second-half comeback were dashed soon after the interval when East Coker made it 3-0 when Romy Williams poked home from close range after the ball had rebounded off the post.

It was 4-0 moments later when Benji Hayward capitalised after Avishayes’ keeper Westwood had superbly parried an initial shot.

But despite the scoreline Avishayes kept battling away – buoyed by a large and noisy travelling contingent of supporters – and Spencer White went close.

They began to put some pressure on East Coker and finally got their rewards on 51 minutes – albeit a consolation – when a clearance a defender cannoned off Bradley Putt and looped over Samways’ head into the net.

It might have reduced the deficit to 4-1, but the Avishayes team celebrated as if they had won the cup. It was great to see.

With time ticking away East Coker – who had a large and noisy following themselves sat in the Main Stand at Huish Park - managed to make it 5-1 when Ollie Crisp netted.

Players of both sides congratulated each other at the end of the match and Yeovil boss was on hand to present the prizes.

While East Coker Cockerels could celebrate, Avishayes could travel home knowing they had played their part in an entertaining cup final and their goalkeeper Joshua Westwood had been named man-of-the-match.

Mention also to East Coker Cockerels Under-11s and Avishayes Archers Under-9s who acted as the ball boys during the match. No doubt they will have aspirations of playing in the High Holborne Shield final themselves one day.

It was the sixth time East Coker had won the trophy during the competition’s 30-year history having previously enjoyed success in 2003-04, 2004-05, 2007-08, 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Avishayes are still waiting for that first win, although they did come runners-up to Aller Park Rangers back in the 2009-10 season.

How the two sides reached the final: First Round: Avishayes Buzzards 2, Ilminster Gladiators 1; East Coker Cockerels 3, Wells City 3 (East Coker won 4-3 AET).

Second Round: Stoke Gunners 2, Avishayes Buzzards 4; East Coker Cockerels – BYE.

Quarter-Finals: East Coker Cockerels 2, South Cheriton 1; Avishayes Buzzards 1, Somerton United 0.

Semi-Finals: East Coker Cockerels 3, Ash Rovers 2; Pen Mill Predators 3, Avishayes Buzzards 3 (Avishayes won 5-3 AET).

Team Sheets: East Coker Cockerels: Managers – James White and Mark Cleal. Players – Liam Samways; Romy Williams; Joe Cleal; Reece Hyde; Henry Carver; Elijah Wood; Jake White; Harry Morris; Ollie Crisp; Kane Jenkins; Benji Hayward; Charlie Richards; Finlay Ridout.

Avishayes Buzzards: Manager – Kevin Barratt; Assistant Manager – Claire Weller. Players – Joshua Westwood; Finley Harris; Oliver Lees; Matthew Green; Morgan Glazier; Spencer White; Bradley Putt; Alex Barratt; Ethan Harding; Matthew Ingham; Charlie Farthing-Painter; Matthew Hopkins; Arthur Woods.

There are lots more photos to be seen in our photo galleries from the big match:

Photo Gallery 1: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/05/08/east-coker-cockerels-v-avishayes-buzzards-pt-1-may-8-2016/ .

Photo Gallery 2: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/05/08/east-coker-cockerels-v-avishayes-buzzards-pt-2-may-8-2016/ .

Photo Gallery 3: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/05/08/east-coker-cockerels-v-avishayes-buzzards-pt-3-may-8-2016/ .

Photo Gallery 4: http://www.yeovilpress.co.uk/blog/2016/05/08/east-coker-cockerels-v-avishayes-buzzards-pt-4-may-8-2016/ .

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