Sunday 28th March 2010, Stanway Rovers FC, Kick-Off 10:30am, Essex Under 12s Cup Final supported by Chelmsford Radio.
Southend-based Ekco Whitecaps enhanced their burgeoning knockout cup pedigree to claim the Essex Under 12s Cup supported by Chelmsford Radio with a 3-0 win over Dagenham United at Stanway Rovers FC, Manager Paul Tonking revealing: “I had a feeling it was going to be our day!”
Ekco emerged victorious in last season’s Southend & District Junior League Final against Benfleet Villa at Southend United FC’s Roots Hall stadium, but Tonking acknowledged that this success represented another step up for his squad. “I’m incredibly proud of the team,” he revealed after allowing the emotions of the day to settle down. “They’ve been together for a long time, and this is our fourth final, so you could say we’re better suited to cups than league football, but we’ve never won anything countywide like this.”
The match erupted after a cagey first half where defences were on top and opportunities were limited. Semi-final goal-scoring hero Joe Mahoney slid Ekco’s best chance of the opening period wide in the 7th minute whilst, at the other end, Alfie Sands was twice unable to get enough weight behind goalbound efforts to trouble Ethan Lemmon.
Tonking’s son Mattias rapped the crossbar within three minutes of the restart as Ekco came out attacking, and they were rewarded on 37 minutes when Connor Monoghan gave them the lead. Sam Eve was the instigator, progressing down the right before centring to Monoghan who slammed gleefully into the net. “It was a close game and scoreline possibly flattered us a little,” said Paul. “They had some very good chances and in the first half probably just had the better of the game, but the second half was different.”
If that was one defining moment, then another followed swiftly after Connor Peralta had headed George Boffa’s swirling free-kick off the goal line. Endrit Muslija was pulled back in the penalty area and Michael Meekcoms stepped up to guide the spot-kick to Lemmon’s right. The ‘keeper guessed correctly and palmed away to safety. The save’s influence was compounded nine minutes from time as Ekco added a second, Ben Langton providing the cross and James Bowie smashing in from close range.
“I had a feeling that it was going to be our day after the penalty and then James’ goal,” the Ekco boss declared. “It was his first kick of the game and he hadn’t scored for two years previously. He’s a defender, but I put him on up-front as he is quick and our defence had been so good. Dagenham were chasing the game after that second goal and I couldn’t see where they were going to score against us.”
Ekco contributed a third goal during stoppage time after Eve was tripped on the right-hand side of the penalty area. Tonking Jnr. was successful in drilling the ball into the bottom left-hand corner from twelve yards to complete the scoring. “We prepared for this match in exactly the same way we did for all of the others. The boys are on such a high now. We’d love to replicate this success next year but the odds will be stacked against us. We are a cup team, though, so you never know,” pondered Tonking.
Dagenham United: Connor Gray, Luke Waites, Billy Anness, Joe Belcher, Kyle Lawrence, Endrit Muslija, Charlie Spalding, Alfie Sands, Thomas Pitkin, Oliver Houghton, George Boffa. Substitutes (rotated): Michael Meekcoms, Reno Turner.
Ekco Whitecaps: Ethan Lemmon, Laurence Wilmore, Connor Peralta, Ryan Creasey, Mitchell Ali, Cameron McManus, Connor Monoghan, Ben Langton, Sam Eve, Matthias Tonking, Joe Mahoney. Substitutes (rotated): Owen Sasse, Theo Cannon, James Bowie.
Referee: Carl Oliver (Colchester).
Assistant Referees: Aaron Hollis-Taylor (Benfleet) and Frank Holland (Basildon).
Fourth Official: Christopher Fountain (Clacton-on-Sea).
Attendance: 177.