The Camden and Islington Youth League Cup Final Special
Winners – ‘A’ Class live up to their name to take title
Published: 27 May 2010
by STEVE BARNETT
YOUNGSTERS from ‘A’ Class Football Club lived up to their name on Monday when they beat Hampstead to win the Under-9s title in the Camden and Islington Youth League.
Super sub Qwame Anokye came off the bench to score a hat-trick in the final 10 minutes and hand his team the championship with three games to go. Youcef Imansouren was also on target as ‘A’ Class ran out 4-0 winners, continuing their perfect record of 11 wins in 11 games.
The result was the perfect tonic for the club after they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Crown and Manor in Friday’s Challenge Cup final at Market Road.
THERE were thrills, spills, goals and star player shows at Market Road on Friday as young footballers turned out for cup final night in the Camden and Islington Youth League.
The result of the night saw Futebol De Salao beat Lyndhurst 1-0 in the under-12s competition to continue an unbeaten run that has seen them win all of their cup games since joining the league four years ago.
The only goal of the game was scored within the opening five minutes when Louis Butler added the finishing touches to a neat passing move with an instinctive first-time shot.
Player-of-the-match Jamie Bryan and Andrew Areoye were outstanding in defence for FDS, who became the first team to lift the Liboria Risveglia Cup, dedicated to the league’s youngest female referee who tragically died in her sleep last year.
It was a memorable night for FDS, who also beat Paradise Panthers 1-0 in the under-15s age group to retain the cup.
The winning goal saw Alistair Napier beat two defenders before playing a neat one-two with Ashley Gustoff and firing home from the edge of the area.
Crown and Manor also enjoyed a successful night. The club’s under-9s side came from a goal down to beat ‘A’ Class 2-1 in the Michael Browne Challenge Cup.
Striker Qwame Anokye gave ‘A’ Class the lead, but star player Johnny Gill pulled the scores level with a spectacular dipping-volley before grabbing the winner from the penalty spot.
Crown and Manor completed a domestic double in the under-11s age category. Having been crowned league champions, they beat Angel Islington to clinch the cup.
Brandon Sandiford gave Angel the lead, but goals from Romeo Akinola and Daniel Coventry saw Crown and Manor bite back to seal a 2-1 win. Angel’s Zeka Pirgali was voted player-of-the-match.
Chapel got their hands on the Under-13s Cup after beating rivals Islington Admiral Hawks 6-5 on penalties. Leon Gilbert, Nabeel Hashin, Taylor Fernandez, Jake Casey, Randell Williams and Andrew Kinoshi all kept their cool from the spot. Chapel goalkeeper Gustavo Ramirez capped a great display with three stunning saves in the shoot-out.
Peel beat Somers Town 5-4 on penalties to win the Under-14s Cup. Marcos Boye, Darren Michaels, Danny McCarthy, Sheldon Wilson and star defender Anton Mattison all scored from the spot for Peel, while goalkeeper Luke Ward made a vital save.
In the Under-16s Cup Gems beat Jubba Youth 6-5 on penalties after the game ended 2-2 in normal time.
Fans and players in trophy tribute to Liboria
FANS and players paid tribute to the youngest female referee in the Camden and Islington Youth League on Friday by unveiling a trophy in her honour.
Liboria Risveglia, who was also involved with the league as a player, passed away in her sleep last March at the tender age of 19.
In a fitting tribute, the league have dedicated the under-12s Challenge Cup to her because it was the age-group she enjoyed most.
After watching Futebol De Salao beat Lyndhurst 1-0 to become the first winners of the Liboria Risveglia Cup, her dad Tony, from Kentish Town, said: “It was very emotional. I’m very, very proud that the league has dedicated a cup to her memory. The standard in the final was extremely high and I know she would have loved to have refereed the game.”