Abbey shrug off keeper injury to seal Cup glory

10:48am Thursday 24th April 2008

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

Waltham Abbey 2
Winchmore Hill 0
(Cheshunt Youth League Cup final U16s) IT WAS as second piece of silverware in a week for Abbey when they won the Cheshunt League Cup at Cheshunt FC's ground.

The Hill team had previously lost 3-0 and 7-0 to the Essex boys and were out for revenge.

At the start they certainly limited goal chances.

However, Abbey's Chris Flanagan popped up to score to maintain his phenomenal form of 14 goals in 18 games.

The second half was amazingly open. Winchmore reverted to a more attacking formation and it paid off, creating a chance on the hour, only for Tillbrook to make a decent save.

After this the drama really began, as Denzil Noloko earned Abbey a penalty.

Right-back Gary Suchley stepped up , only for him to scuff the ball giving the Winchmore keeper an easy save.

Moments later a long punt up field from the Hill keeper and a misjudged bounce, put Winchmore's forward one-on-one with Abbey keeper Tillbrook, who was judged to have fouled the forward, giving away a penalty.

The spot kick went wide of the goal.

Things were not good for Abbey as keeper Tillbrook, who had clashed with the Hill forward, was taken off to hospital with chest pains. George Oake deputised for the injured keeper.

The penalty was a real wake up call for Abbey who went on to finish off Winchmore with ten minutes to go.

Charlie Danna came off the bench to score a terrific header from eight- yards enabling Waltham Abbey to retain the Cheshunt Youth League Cup.

Now they hope to go on to add the Cheshunt Youth League Premier Division championship to this season's trophy haul.

Waltham Abbey are pictured with the League Cup: back row (l-r) Rob Hart (asst. manager),Chris Flanagan, George Hayes, Sam Locker-Townsend, Rio Bryan, George Luck, George Oake, John Hayes (manager).

Front row (l-r). Charlie Danna, Daniel Ladyman, Joe Welch, Gary Suchley, Ashley Hart, Stuart Christy, Denzil Conteh-Noloko, Carl Spillet, Jack Marrion. (not in picture Aaron Tillbrook)

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