Bexhill College Men’s 1st team in association with Chelsea Football Club Foundation were crowned Chelsea Foundation College Cup champions after defeating Carshalton 4-3 after extra time in a thrilling final at Cobham, the home of Chelsea’s training ground.
Bexhill started the better side in the opening 20 minutes, dominating the proceedings and were a toes length away from taking the lead, but the outstretched Will Harley was unable to connect with the ball at the back post. Just a few minutes later they were made to pay as a long ball over the top of the defence was misjudged and dispatched calmly by the Carshalton forward. 60 seconds later, Bexhill’s day got worse as they lost the ball and were once again caught out by a long ball over the top where the forward raced away from the recovering Porter and dispatched calmly again.
The madness continued with a third goal in as many minutes, this time Bexhill getting themselves back in the game as Will Harley had the freedom of the 18-yard box to bring the ball down, compose himself and tuck the ball home to make it 2-1. 30 minutes gone on the clock and the game was levelled in superb fashion. After some neat play around the edge of the box, the ball was laid off to the on-rushing Harry Marchant who drove the ball home with the outside of his right foot on the edge of the box. There was just enough time to draw breath before the last significant moment in the half, and this time it completed the turnaround. Matteo Vidali played an excellent ball in behind for Ash Latuske to smash into the top corner. From 2-0 to 3-2, Bexhill went into the half-time break the happier of the two sides.
The second half started how the first ended, as it took just 6 minutes for the sixth goal to be scored. Carshalton got back on level terms through some nice combination work on the edge of the box and once again calmly slotted into the back of the net. Tommy Hickey picked the ball out of his net again despite not being put under much pressure throughout the game. That would be one of his last involvements in the game after attempting to claim a cross and going down injured, having to be replaced due to a dislocated thumb. With no goalkeeper on the bench, left back Alex Dadgostar volunteered to take the gloves having only come on 5 minutes before at Left Back.
Despite the outfielder in goal, it was Bexhill who still had control and had the chances to win the game. Will Harley was picked out superbly by Noah Rivers, but unmarked inside the 6-yard box could only direct his header wide. A few minutes later he had the chance to make amends after Harry Marchant’s mazy run ended with him being brought down inside the box with the referee not hesitating to point to the spot. After a lengthy debate about whether the foul took place in or outside the box, the decision was confirmed, and Harley placed the ball on the spot. His effort however, was saved by the Carshalton keeper and the score remained level. Matteo Vidali was the next to spurn two golden chances. The first through on goal, he could only lift the ball into the goalkeeper’s hands and the second he couldn’t keep his effort from inside the box down and ended up blazing over the bar. The scores remained level as the full-time whistle was blown and extra time beckoned.
It took just 5 minutes into extra time for Bexhill to restore their lead, and this time Harley did make amends for his earlier misses. Ash Latuske’s pass found Harley inside the box who showed quick feet to take it around the keeper and tap home from a tight angle. Harley had another chance to further Bexhill’s lead in the 2nd period after a loose clearance from the keeper left the goal open, but Harley’s effort from distance ended up wide of the goal. Bexhill’s stand-in keeper had been in between the sticks for 50 minutes yet remained untested, much to the relief of the team in the lead. With the minutes ticking down Bexhill entered the game management phase and held the ball in the corner to see out the win and be crowned champions!
Team: Hickey, Rivers, Porter, Ketchell, Scullion, Marchant, Owen, Vidali, Latuske (C), Harley, Wood.
Subs: Dadgostar, Neal, Walker.
Managers Shane Lovell and Ben Ferguson said: “We’re delighted to be crowned champions and beating the current champions in the final. Things certainly looked against us with the injury and the amount of chances we missed, but credit to the players to keep going. The response after the crazy 60 seconds finding ourselves 2 down was really good and a show of real character. On the balance of the 120 minutes, we feel we were worthy winners and are thrilled to be taking the trophy back after missing out last season.”
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For more information about the Football Academy please visit: https://www.bexhillcollege.ac.uk/sports-clubs-and-academies/football-academies/
