Sunday 11th April 2010, Great Wakering Rovers FC, Kick-off 10:30am, Essex Andrews Under 14s Cup Final supported by Chelmsford Radio.
Snaresbrook & Interwood boss Hassan Mehmet revealed his team’s ambition to return next year and win the County Cup again after his side recovered from a 5th-minute deficit to clinch their first Essex Andrews Under 14s Cup with a 3-1 victory over Boca at Great Wakering Rovers FC’s Burroughs Park home.
Boca stole an early lead when George Babbington’s 20-yard free-kick wrong-footed ‘keeper Lewis Greene and snuck inside the near post. But Snaresbrook were back on level terms on 15 minutes thanks to Jamie Hursit’s header and they were forged ahead through Lionel Stone when Boca were reduced to ten men as Aaron Levett received a second caution. Darryl Mayne killed the tie off deep into stoppage time with a third.
“I’m pleased about how we reacted after going a goal behind,” said Mehmet. “We were on the back foot for the first 15 but came back strongly and didn’t allow Boca an attempt at goal - there’s only really been one team in it. They could look at the sending-off but we were leading and on top by then. We’re a big side and that was beneficial, particularly with the headers we scored. Hopefully we can return next year and win the Under 15s!”
Hursit cancelled out Babbington’s early opener when he thumped a header home from Danny Rumens’ free-kick and Snaresbrook could have grabbed the lead when Rumens hit another set-piece into the gloves of Callum Murphy. But Snaresbrook took the lead four minutes before the break, Murphy making an impressive save to push Hursit’s piledriver around the post only for Stone to nod in Rumens’ resulting corner.
Boca were unfortunate not to level when Harrison Tweddal’s thunderous shot bounced away off the underside of the bar though Snaresbrook were dominant in the second period. Stone was denied by an offside flag, following-up after Hursit struck a post, while Ben Marnta twice came close. Stone sent another effort wide before Boca’s best chance of an equaliser saw Harry Ellis bring a double save out of Greene. The tie was then sealed six minutes into added time, Mayne stabbing in Rumens’ corner from close range.
Boca: Callum Murphy, Billy Hendy, Raphael Ogunsanlu, Max Heath, Harry Ellis, George Babbington, Harrison Tweddal, Danny Swallow, Endrit Sllanik, Aaron Levett, Chris Walling. Substitutes (repeated): Tevin Westfield, Osagie Otabo.
Snaresbrook & Interwood: Lewis Greene, Sean Kelly, Ben Marnta, Stephen Browne, Omari Walker, Danny Rumens, Nathan Ferguson, Pearce Mitchell, Jamie Hursit, Lionel Stone, William Miller. Substitutes (repeated): Brian Moses, Scott Kashket, Harley Haag, Darryl Mayne, Callum O’Connor.
Bookings: Boca: Aaron Levett (35+3, unsporting behaviour and 43, unsporting behaviour).
Sent Off: Aaron Levett (43, second bookable offence).
Referee: Carol Henwood (Benfleet).
Assistant Referees: David Scott (South Ockendon) and David Saunders (Tilbury).
Fourth Official: Patrick Shanahan (Romford).
Attendance: 92.