The Thursday’s Under 12 B Team have won a place in the Roy Powell Cup Final after an outstanding Charles Hillman hat trick, secured them a win over Thornwell.
Thursdays started off strongly with a goal in the first 5 minutes by Charles Hillman. With good interlinking play by Thursdays which resulted in a corner from a shot by Jack Thomas, a corner by Matthew Tagg ended in a scramble in the box and an own goal by Thornwell.
After applying the pressure straight from the re-start, Torin Hillman intercepted the ball and linked up with Tagg, who’s shot rebounded off the crossbar to be slotted in for Hillman’s second goal.
Thursdays looked in control of the game only to be complacent in defence and concede a well worked goal by Thornwell.
Thornwell applied the pressure to force a number of corners where keeper, Alex Tipping, made some great saves to keep Thursdays lead secure. From a long throw in a Thornwell attack leading to a goal which was ruled offside, Connor Greeves took the initiative with a quick free kick to Luke Kennard linking up with Sam Hooton.
The ball was crossed on to Torin Hillman who was clinically fouled in the box for a penalty. Garryn West thundered the ball into the bottom left –hand corner to put Thursdays 4-1 up at half time.
Playing into the wind in the second half, Thursdays made changes to keep defence tight. Thornwell created many chances but unfortunately could not capitalise on them. From a Thornwell corner, the ball was punched away by Tipping, only to be volleyed straight back in where Jake Heckles denied Thornwell by a superb goal line clearance. A break away down the right hand side by Alex Ball fed Charles Hillman to go on strong run, to beat two defenders for his third goal.
From this moment on Thursdays relaxed to play a much more composed game and made some substitutions. Subs Jordan Banfield and Harley Ainscough created some chances to finish off the game but were denied by the keeper. Thornwell scored a deserved second goal afterwhich Thursdays brought on Matthias Erhardt and Alex Pitt to freshen up defence. Thornwell were unable to break Thursdays, ending a 5-2 victory.
The boys now look forward to the final against Monmouth Lads at Caldicot Football Club on Sunday May 13th at 11.00 am
