SESSA CHALLENGE CUP FINAL
COHENEL COLLEGE BOREHAM WOOD VS TOWER HAMLET COLLEGE
In the glorious sunshine Boreham Wood’s PASE Academy picked up their first trophy of the season with a 2 – 1 win over Tower Hamlets College on Wednesday afternoon.
The game was a nervous affair with both sides not wanting to give anything away in the opening exchanges. Boreham Wood adopted an attacking 4-3-3 system with Jermaine Izukanne and Jaac Stone either side of Sebastian Headley spearheading the attack.
Daniel Longa Longa impressed playing out of position at centre half commanding the back four made up of Chris Omole, Marvin Birch and Daniel Addae. A few half chances were squandered early in the game and it was the defences who came out on top in the first half as they went into the break all square after a goalless first half.
The 2nd half sparked into life when Seb Headley finished clinically as he was put through with pass from Matt Newman, who alongside Captain Abdul Marong dictated the midfield for Wood. Marong has been the rock of the team excelling on and off the pitch completing a Level 3 Sports Btec with a Distinction/Merit grade, and is now looking to go on to university.
Unfortunately the joy was short lived, Tower Hamlets capitalised on a lack of concentration and equalised within 5 minutes erasing Wood’s advantage. As the game restarted, it again became a tight affair with Izukanne and Headley squandering chances, as it looked to be heading for extra time.
Wood’s players worked tirelessly and the heat started to affect both teams and more mistakes where being made. Finally the breakthrough came after some neat work and a little bit of luck by Marong, Newman and Stone.
The ball found its way back to Marong who sized up a cross from the right for Izukanne in the box, miscuing his cross it ended up going directly over the opposition keeper and nestling in the back of the net for a 2 – 1 lead.
Seeing out the game was now the priority but it was easier said than done with Tower Hamlets pushing for the equaliser. With not long on the clock Tower Hamlets scored again but the goal was deemed offside and Wood could begin the celebrations as the final whistle blew.
PASE Coach Ryan Kirby said ‘It wasn’t a game for the neutral but I am delighted for the boys and with the win. The boys worked so hard all game and have done all year. The scheme has helped them develop and it will be a memory that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. It’s just shows that if you have the right attitude, discipline and desire you can achieve great things.’
Squad – Miles Forde, Marvin Birch, Chris Omole, Daniel Long Longa, Daniel Addae, Ola Olunsamade, Mat Newman, Abdul Marong© Jermaine Izukanne, Jaac Stone, Sebastian Headley. Subs: Martin Gomes, Robbie Hassan, Raphael Owusu, Bradley Tshibangu.
