BEALONIANS 6 V TIGERS 1

What a football week for Bealonians U18 side, won the Echo League Div 1 title then followed this with a dominant performance in the Peter Coote cup final against a spirited Tigers side.

Both teams started the game nervously on a very large Aveley FC pitch, as the game settled, Bealonians imposed their fluent football style, while the strong Tigers side used the effective Emmanuel Awuku and set plays to push Bealonians back. This had its rewards in the 14th minute when a poor decision in midfield allowed Tigers to release Awuku whom scored easily following a mix up in the Bealonians rear guard.

This gave Tigers a new belief and they continued to pressurise the Bealonians back line, with Awuku having another goal disallowed for off side. Bealonians got back into their stride and started to retain possession more comfortably and from this a good ball by Payne released the strong Cooper whom battled through two tackles to regain his footing to calmly slot in a equaliser on 25 minutes. This now settled Bealonians and the football started to flow with both flanks being productive and the right side provided the cutting edge to get Beal’s in front in the 35th minute, a great individual run by Cipa beating three players before releasing Emmanuel to fire in from sixteen yards.

Half time 2-1

Bealonians started the second half on the front foot and continued to push Tigers back and retain good possession all over the pitch. In the 50th minute a good cross from Judge took a wicked deflection and found it’s way inside Brown near post. From this set back Tigers responded and had an excellent chance with Awuku through on goal only to see Harrison atone for earlier error and make a fine save. The game flowed with Bealonians taking the majority of possession and this produced the goal of the night, with Judge volleying in from wide on the left (25 yards) to the far corner of Brown’s goal.
Tigers continued to battle but the large pitch started to take it’s toll and with Bealonians retaining possession and making the work rate harder, chances had to appear.

This was the case with Cipa and Harris rattling down they right, this ended with Harris on the edge of the box whom finished brilliantly into the top corner for his first of the season.
With the game nearing the end, Bealonians produced some more direct football down the right and Cipa crossed for O’Sullivan to set up the lethal Judge to score into the top corner via the under side of the bar. Final whistle 6-1 a great team effort and performance.