Published: 29 March, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

Under-9s League Cup

A STRIKE from Jean-Michel Kabongo proved to be the winner as The Heath’s ‘A’ team booked their place in the next round of the cup on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Primrose.

There were double celebrations for The Heath as their Under-9s ‘B’ team also progressed through to the next stage of the cup with a 3-0 win over FC Sapo Verde.

Charlie Preus gave The Heath a deserved half time lead with a thunderous strike from the edge of the area. Teddy Jones doubled the advantage, before Victor Padron added the finishing touches to a good win late on.

Under-9s Division

YOUNGSTERS from Daryl’s Dragons FC proved it’s not the winning, but the taking part that counts in a tremendous display of sportsmanship on Saturday.

Despite losing their final game of the season 3-0 against West End FC, the newly-formed team were still in good spirits at the sound of the final whistle.

Manager Daryl Moore, who enjoyed huge success of his own as a young player with Hampstead FC, said: “What I love about being The Dragons coach is that in the games we lose, we leave like champions and always cheer the winning team. I am proud to announce Daryl’s Dragons will be signing up for another season of immense fun in the Regent’s Park League.”

Under-11s Division

A LAST-GASP goal from Nusret Ejupi saw West End FC twice come from a goal down to beat The Heath on Saturday.

Strikes by Tony Crawford and Connor Chapman left the game in the balance but, with just seconds left on the clock, Ejupi struck from close range to seal a thrilling 3-2 win.

The result makes it back-to-back wins for West End, who beat Belsize Youth 1-0 in their previous match thanks to another last-minute winner, this time from Rio Glen.

There were championship-winning cheers on Saturday as players from The Heath hailed their under-11s title success. The champs celebrated the only way they know how, by beating Finsbury Park 3-0 in a friendly.

Striker James Taylor showed his class as he opened the scoring with a clinical finish, despite the fact he usually plays for The Heath’s Under-9s and was playing up two age groups.

The striker was eventually replaced by George Blumenthal, who came off the bench to put in a player-of-the-match performance with two well-taken goals.

Coach Stephen O’Brennan, pictured with joint-coach Pat Cleary,  said: “It’s a newly formed team so to win the league in their first season is a huge achievement, and a credit to their manager David Clifford.

“All the boys showed great positivity and are already looking forward to new challenges when the league returns in September.”