by Martyn Herman

WOODFORD Youth under-13s were crowned champions of Essex on Sunday when they beat Tigers 3-0 at Stanway near Colchester.

A magnificent performance from the Echo Premier League side saw them grind down the league leaders to become the club's first county cup winners, a massive achievement as more than 150 clubs started out in the draw.

They now go forward to play in the Tesco Regional finals in April when they could clinch a place in the nationals at the Walkers Stadium in Leicester.

Prolific striker Cameron Shakes put Woodford ahead shortly before halftime after a diagonal pass from Phillipe Herman.

Woodford were brilliantly organised throughout with skipper James Bex and Jack Miller dominant.

Dylan Snow made it 2-0 on the rebound after 46 minutes when Jamie Hursit's fierce shot was saved and Ameer Mer wrapped it up on the break to the delight of a large travelling contingent.

Squad: Bonning, Massingham, Rogers, Bex, Miller, Bostock, Dzotsi, Snow, Ahmad, Hursit, Mer, Herman, Emmerson, Shakes, McDermott, Mayele.