Sunday 25th April 2010, Concord Rangers FC, Kick-Off 10:30am, Essex Sunday Junior Trophy Final supported by Time 107.5.
A first-half brace from Paul Horwood saw Wakering Hart redeem their 2009 Sunday Junior Trophy Final defeat as they clinched the 2010 crown with victory over Snaresbrook Under 21s at Concord Rangers’ Thames Road.
“We’re absolutely over the moon to have won this time around,” said delighted Wakering boss Alex Tandy after the game, having seen his side lose to Noaklands the previous year. "Snaresbrook were a good side and our first goal probably came against the run of play, but it came at a good time for us. It was certainly made sweeter by the fact we lost last year’s final and I believe a few of the players didn’t make it into work the next day!”
Wakering survived an early onslaught from young Snaresbrook who saw Jack Sim’s header thump the underside of the crossbar on just 4 minutes while Brandon Knight twice saw low efforts deflected wide. But it was on 20 minutes that Wakering grabbed the advantage, Horwood confidently firing home from a penalty after referee Ernie Forsyth spotted a handball, Aaron Golding’s shot having cannoned back off the crossbar.
Holland then tipped a dipping Matthew Shrubsole effort over the top before the Wakering lead was doubled on 41, Horwood latching onto Matthew Stubbs’ through ball before coolly slotting past Snaresbrook ‘keeper Phillip Phillipou. Wakering were happy to soak up any Snaresbrook second half pressure and when the Under 21s side did find a way through they found stand-in ‘keeper Holland in inspired form.
He did well to push Drew Barbier’s grounded shot around the post and then pulled off the save of the game to tip Dominic Herbert’s fierce drive over the top. When Holland was finally beaten, Knight’s angled drive bounced back off a post. Wakering then survived a late penalty claim to successfully hold onto their two-goal lead and clinch the Sunday Junior Trophy, finally putting to bed the memory of the 2009 final.
Tandy concluded: “Our defence was brilliant and Dave made some fantastic saves - he’s not even a goalkeeper! Unfortunately our regular ‘keeper has had some ill-health recently and Dave has stepped-in for the last few games and played really well. Paul also produced two fine finishes, but our team spirit saw us through. That’s always been crucial to us.”
Snaresbrook Under 21s: Phillip Phillipou, Jack Sim, Mitchell Collymore, Cary Smith, Robert Caine (Scott Little, 35), Dominic Herbert, Matthew Shrubsole, Drew Barbier, Edward Holden (Jehmzil Lemonius, 56), Brandon Knight, Jay Sendell. Unused Substitutes: Charlie Rood, Elliott Mensah-Boakye, Thomas Mas.
Wakering Hart: David Holland, Tommy Taylor, Aaron Golding, Dominic Emmons, Conor Lewis (Matthew Swain, 56), Toby Marshall, Mark Smith, Matthew Stubbs, Shaun Bennett, Paul Horwood, David Webb. Unused Substitutes: Alex Tandy, James Bewers, Barry Lewis.
Bookings: Wakering: Emmons (82, unsporting behaviour).
Referee: Ernest Forsyth (Dagenham).
Assistant Referees: Keith Barron (Chelmsford) and Edward Smith (Hornchurch).
Fourth Official: Maurice Cook (Black Notley).
Attendance: 160.