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Beaten but still winners!
Sophie Court28 Apr - 21:32
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Ajax edged out on penalties in Cup Final
Saturday 27th April saw Manor JFC U15 Ajax take on Wallasey Wanderers U15 Pumas, in the Eastham & District Junior & Mini Soccer League U15 Division 4 Top Cup Final at Harrison Park. Having faced each other in the League seven days earlier, this was always going to be highly competitive game.
Backed by a large Manor following of family and friends, the first half was evenly balanced as both teams looked for a goal with both sides creating chances. Ajax found that opportunity in the 34th minute when Alfie Feeney calmly converted a chance set up by Connor Mitchell to lead 1-0 at half time.
The second half saw Ajax take control of the game, forcing Puma’s goalkeeper Joel Massey into a series of unbelievable saves as he single-handedly kept his side in the game. Then in the 62nd minute, Puma’s Issac Murphy took advantage of a loose ball in the Ajax area, to level the tie at 1-1.
Ajax responded well and continued to press for the winner, until the referee blew for full-time with the scores level. And so, to a penalty shoot-out which saw both teams hold the advantage before Pumas edged the closest of finals 3-2 on penalties.
After the game, Ajax Manager Mike Harrison said “Our boys were magnificent. I’m really lost for words.”
“And the support from our parents and families was something else. It was heartbreaking to see the lads upset at the end. But they should reflect on how well the played. Penalties are a lottery. We were just unlucky in that respect today.”
Congratulations to Wallasey Wanderers, and thanks to Cheshire Vikings JFC for making their Harrison Park available as a venue for the Final.
Beaten on the day, but still winners in the way they played and in reaching the final, Ajax did themselves, their coaches, family and friends and Manor JFC proud!
Backed by a large Manor following of family and friends, the first half was evenly balanced as both teams looked for a goal with both sides creating chances. Ajax found that opportunity in the 34th minute when Alfie Feeney calmly converted a chance set up by Connor Mitchell to lead 1-0 at half time.
The second half saw Ajax take control of the game, forcing Puma’s goalkeeper Joel Massey into a series of unbelievable saves as he single-handedly kept his side in the game. Then in the 62nd minute, Puma’s Issac Murphy took advantage of a loose ball in the Ajax area, to level the tie at 1-1.
Ajax responded well and continued to press for the winner, until the referee blew for full-time with the scores level. And so, to a penalty shoot-out which saw both teams hold the advantage before Pumas edged the closest of finals 3-2 on penalties.
After the game, Ajax Manager Mike Harrison said “Our boys were magnificent. I’m really lost for words.”
“And the support from our parents and families was something else. It was heartbreaking to see the lads upset at the end. But they should reflect on how well the played. Penalties are a lottery. We were just unlucky in that respect today.”
Congratulations to Wallasey Wanderers, and thanks to Cheshire Vikings JFC for making their Harrison Park available as a venue for the Final.
Beaten on the day, but still winners in the way they played and in reaching the final, Ajax did themselves, their coaches, family and friends and Manor JFC proud!
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