Terras triumph

8:26am Thursday 17th April 2008

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Under-11 County Cup Final

WEYMOUTH 3 POOLE TOWN 1

WEYMOUTH lifted the County Cup after a brilliant all-round team performance.

From the kick-off they were first to almost every ball and showed tremendous desire and determination, and allied to some wonderful football they overwhelmed a Poole side that went into the final as firm favourites.

Weymouth were rocked before the start when defender Connor Aitken was forced to withdraw after aggravating a thigh strain in the warm up. They were already missing Aidan Glover with a groin injury.

But the Weymouth youngsters were focused on the job in hand and got their reward early on when Jack Simpson finished brilliantly from 20 yards following some fine midfield interplay.

The goal raised the tempo but it was the young Terras who continued to dominate. Jack Styles, Daragh MacDonagh and Simpson were winning every loose ball in midfield and dominating possession. And Nick Voss and Charlie Jones caused the Poole defence numerous problems as they drove forward on the flanks.

Weymouth doubled their advantage with another great finish from Simpson after the ball broke loose just outside the box. The skipper glanced up to see the keeper off his line and hit a brilliant dipping shot into the back of the net.

Weymouth held firm for the remainder of the half as Poole sought to force their way back into the game.

Owen Etherington marshalled the defence brilliantly as he has done all season. Harry Munson, who replaced the injured Jakob Nutman midway through the half, and Eli Cranny won vital tackles to keep the scoreline 2-0 at the break.

After the interval Poole upped the tempo but Weymouth continued to close down superbly with MacDonagh and Etherington stifling the opponents' attacking threat.

Up front Luke Chatterton and Fabian Peterkin ran themselves into the ground as they chased every ball and harried the Poole defenders. Michael Hernandez also proved a real handful when he came on.

Weymouth went three up when Simpson completed his hat-trick midway through the half. Following a fluid passing movement he shot low across the keeper to trigger wild celebrations among the Weymouth supporters.

The Terras continued to play exceptionally well but were unlucky to concede a penalty with ten minutes remaining.

Will Ball slotted home for Poole giving keeper Harry Reynolds no chance. However, Reynolds denied Poole a second moments later with a brilliant point-blank save from George Fellows.

Poole continued to press in the dying moments but every Weymouth player continued to battle and they ran out thoroughly deserved winners.

Manager Tim Davis said: "I am really proud of every player. It was a brilliant team performance and they showed that they have both tremendous spirit as well as outstanding ability."