HUNDREDS of youngsters from across the county went in search of cup glory as the Mid Wilts Youth and Minor League staged their cup finals at Melksham Town FC at the weekend.
The weekend's action kicked off with two exhibition games in the U7s and U8s age groups.
Castle Combe Colts took on White Horse Juniors in the U7s match, before Shaw and Whitley Youth played Westbury Youth in the U8s.
All four teams had earned their place at the finals for attaining the most marks for the sportsmanship of their players, parents and club officials throughout the season.
The first of the Cup Finals was between Croft Juniors and Swindon Vultures under 17s and 18s.
Both teams played with caution for the first half which led to a 0-0 half time score line.
On the hour the game changed shape when Croft's Liam Guntrip headed home a corner to give his side the advantage.
The goal livened up the game and Croft doubled their lead when Jason Smith scored from a tight angle.
Damian Debono pulled one back from the penalty spot for the Vultures, but time ran out for them and Croft were crowned U17s and 18s League Cup Champions. Man-of-the-match was Eddie Jose, from Croft.
Saturday's finals started with the U9s final between Bath Arsenal and White Horse Juniors. Bath took an early lead through William Thomas and White Horse goalkeeper Jack Haines kept his side in the game with some fine saves.
But Bath made their pressure tell late on and further goals from Aaron Stuart and Thomas put the outcome beyond doubt. Haines' heroics earned him the man-of-the-match award.
The U11s final between Green Baize Youth and Warminster Highbury saw the return of Andy Crabtree to Melksham Town with his charges, Highbury. Marcus Welsh gave Green Baize the lead on six minutes before an overhead kick from Highbury's Craig Sheppard clipped the cross bar.
Strikes from Billy Bodin and Will Evans gave Green Baize a three-goal cushion at the break and they scored seven more in the second half to run out 10-0 winners. Man-of-the-match Bodin and Evans completed their hat-tricks, with Jack Paish grabbing one and, Adam Cochran two.
The U13s final brought Chippenham Town Youth head-to-head with Shaw and Whitley.
Shaw took the lead when a clever back heel pass was volleyed into the top of the net. Tom Ingle equalised following a goal mouth scramble to send the game into extra time and Ross McCance hit the winner making Chippenham Town Youth the Jack Goodenough Memorial Trophy. Man-of-the-match prize was awarded to Andy Robbins.
One of the closest games of the finals was played out between Shaw U15s and Trowbridge Town Youth U15s.
Trowbridge took the lead when Matthew Bonser struck from 18 yards out in the second half, only for Pete Tye's late goal to send the game into extra time. Neither side could score a golden goal triumphed Shaw after a penalty shoot-out.
The U10s Daniel Higgs Memorial Trophy produced an excellent game between Calne Town Youth and Trowbridge Town Youth. Mike Board's second minute effort proved decisive and Calne goalkeeper Craig Edwards was the man-of-the-match.
The U12s Ron Boucher Memorial Trophy brought together this season's runners-up Amesbury Juniors and Chippenham Town Youth from the lower half of the table.
Scott Atkins' deflected effort put Amesbury in front, but David Brown equalised for Chippenham in the second half. With just minutes left , man-of-the-match Jack Gentle converted Atkins' cross to give Amesbury the cup.
The U14s Tim Kerr Memorial Trophy final between Bath Arsenal and Salisbury Juniors was entertaining. Luke Sellars' header and a Scott Sinclair volley gave Bath a 2-0 win.
The U16s Barry Curtis Memorial Trophy game brought AFC Corsham and FC Chippenham together. Chippenham took the lead when Chris Beasley headed home on 25 minutes. Warren Jones equalised following a goal scramble. Josh Deeprose gave Chippenham the lead for the second time, but man-of-the-match Chris Andrews' effort sent the game into extra time. Yan Klukowski's rocket shot in the final minute of the extra period clinched the trophy for Chippenham.
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