Published: 20 February 2014
by STEVE BARNETT

MANAGER Jamie Houghton praised his “amazing” players after they reached their second County Cup final in a row on Sunday.

Ryan FC, made up of some of the best young footballers from across Camden and Islington, overcame Eastern Junior Alliance League rivals Redbridge in a thrilling encounter at the Wadham Lodge Sports Ground in Walthamstow.

The Under-17s side raced into an early lead when George Yianni won the ball in midfield and set-up Sadiquir Rahman, who fired the ball into the bottom corner. Redbridge equalised but Ryan edged back in front when good combination play between EJ Gyebi and Rahman resulted in a chance for Robleh Xasan, which the hotshot gladly accepted.

The topsy-turvy game would have made a fitting final as Redbridge struck twice to take a 3-2 lead. This time it was Ryan’s turn to battle back as Gyebi scored in the final seconds of the match to make it 3-3 and send the game into extra time.

In the end the dramatic tie could only be settled with penalties. Keeper Zac Gotlieb handed Ryan the ideal start with a superb save, while team-mates Ben Protheroe, Xasan, Yianni, Reuben Hinkson and Euan Taylor-Reid all scored in a perfect display of penalty taking to earn a 5-4 victory.

Coach Houghton said his team deserve credit for the way they have reached the final.

“This group of players are amazing, they never know when they’re beat,” he said.

“That’s the second game in two weeks where they’ve managed to grab an equaliser in added-on time.

“Reaching a County Cup final two years in a row is a very special achievement and they’ve done it the hard way – beating Wingate and Finchley, Buckhurst Hill, Waterloo and now Redbridge, who are all extremely good sides.”