Camrose prove they are best in the west!

Camrose under 13s 2 - Landore Colts under 13s 0

 

 

Camrose’s talented under 13 footballers can now rightly boast that they are the best in the west after beating Landore Colts in the West Wales Junior Under 13 Cup final at Stebonheath Park in Llanelli.

 

Both teams had waltzed their way through the earlier rounds but it was Phil Jones’s lads who looked likely to win from the outset as they played good football against such determined opposition – and an 11th minute goal settled their nerves.

It came via a Charles Davies’ free kick on the left that the Colts failed to clear and in the ensuing goalmouth melee it was big central defender Curtis Hicks who was on hand to beat Jackson Brereton in the Colts’ goal.

 

Hicks and Sion Williams were really strong at the heart of the back four, flanked well by skilful full backs Callum John and James Williams, with skipper Nicholas John keeping them organised from his role between the sticks.

Landore tried hard to claw their way back in quickly but Lewis Hartson fired just wide before Cam returned to the attack and Sion Williams headed over the bar from a good Callum John cross.

 

It was in midfield that Camrose had a clear edge as Jacob Morgan filled a key role plugging the gaps and the silky passing skills of Matthew Delaney, Rowan Nicholson and Travis O’Connor alongside some lovely breaks down the left by Charles Davies.

But the ace in Phil Jones’ pack was front man Morgan Thomas, whose pace and power combined had the Colts’ defence in turmoil whenever he was involved. Thomas almost doubled Cam’s lead with a splendid run at the defence but his low drive flew inches wide of the target.

 

So it was 1-0 to Cam at the interval but in the second half they assumed almost total control with a string of chances, starting with a corner from O’Connor headed just wide by Sion Williams and a lovely Delaney through ball setting up Nicholson, only for Brereton to make a super save.

Jacob Morgan also drilled a shot wide but a goal was bound to come. Appropriately it came from Morgan Thomas as he raced on to

 

Thomas was just off target with two other chances as he linked well with Davies, whilst Nicholson had a shot cleared off the line Delaney’s cracking volley was cleared for a corner by the overworked Colts’ defence.

 

But again Camrose went on the attack and Davies half-volleyed a drive over the bar and O’Connor hit the bar. But it mattered little because the final whistle from referee Mark Howells, who had a good game, saw Camrose winners and worthy champions, despite the yeoman efforts of a gritty Landore Colts’ side in a cracking game that was a great advert for both clubs.
 

Camrose: Nicholas Jones (Capt): Callum John; Curtis Hicks; Sion Williams; James Williams: Matthew Delaney; Jacob Morgan; Travis O’Connor; Rowan Nicholson; Charles Davies: Matthew Thomas. Subs (all used): Aaron John; Daniel Llewellyn; Regan Palls; Geraint Rees.

 

Landore Colts: Jackson Brereton: Tyler Kaighin; Harri Lawson; Dylan Symmons (Capt); Alex Huxtable; Connor Esmonde; Elliott Rees; Ioan Brigdon; Lewis Hartson; Elliott Smith; Shay O’Donnell. Subs (all used): Nathan Wickham; Nathaniel Morgan; Jay Foulston.

 

Referee: Mark Howells.

 

Assistants: Ian Vaughan; Simon Blacker; Paul Meredith.