Boca A claim first digs on Essex Cup

11:56am Thursday 24th April 2008

JUNIOR FOOTBALL

Boca A 3
Catholic United A 2
(Essex U12s Cup final) BOCA A survived a late onslaught from Catholic United Minors A to claim the first-ever Essex U12s Cup in the final at Stanway Rovers.

"We had it tough in the end, but the boys have been excellent," said Boca joint-boss Andy Swallow after his side's triumph.

Boca raced into a 3-0 lead before Catholic pulled back two late goals, but it wasn't quite enough for the Southend-based side to force extra time against Boca, who play at Loughton's Football Academy.

Boca created the opening chances and they hit the bar early-on through Alex Jenkins' free-kick before grabbing the lead on ten minutes with Nana Yiadom turning home Callum Murphy's neat throughball from close range.

Boca came within inches of doubling their advantage a minute after the break but Yiadom saw his shot cleared off the goal-line.

The second goal did arrive on 39 minutes when Murphy turned and fired a half-volley into the net after picking up a knocked down free-kick.

Boca grabbed a decisive third goal in the 48th minute, Yiadom scoring for the second time as he pushed a low angled shot into the corner past on-rushing keeper Liam Holmes.

But four minutes later, Catholic threw themselves a lifeline as they became the first side to score against Boca in the competition.

With just a minute left to play Catholic set-up a grand-slam finish as they stole a second goal, Kirby finding the bottom corner with a fine volley from the edge of the area.

But Boca held on for a memorable victory.

Swallow added: "We treated the game as professionally as we could.

"We came by coach and stayed together in the Marriott Hotel the night before.

"The boys each had the match details stitched on their shirts too and we hope they had a taste of what it would be like to be a professional as we hope that's what a few of them will be one day."

Boca A team (pictured) including: Peter Smith, Danny Swallow, Charles Newson, Billy Hendy, Daniel Rumens, Tommy Dallison, Harry Ellis, D'scan Thzobalds, Nana Yiadom, George Babbington, Harrison Tweddel, Callum Murphy, Tevin Westfield, Alex Jenkins (c)

- Cup finals apart it has been a busy time for Boca at The Academy, Loughton, with foreign teams welcomed by the club.

The U12 cup squad played Port Coquitlam from Vancouver and proved far too strong for the boys from Canada, winning the match 13-1.

Another match included an U17s Boca game against Hiroshimo (Japan) which Boca won with a high score.

This overseas team visited the Academy where they trained for four days, supervised by West Ham coaches.

There was also an U17s match with Peachtree High, Atlanta (USA).

This team had earlier played Redbridge College before going on to the Bolton Academy.

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