Junior
Premier League National Final
Saturday
14th May 2016
Hereford
FC U15s 3 – 1 Worcester City U15s
Today was
Hereford U15s big day and it certainly lived up to its expectations with
another trophy for the club!! There was a good crowd watching the final and as
usual, the majority of the crowd was Hereford parents, family, friends and
Hereford fans who all made plenty of noise!!
First
half was difficult, playing down a slope with the wind against Hereford.
Hereford defended exceptionally well against some good attacks from Worcester
City but struggled to play the football everyone knows they can play. Worcester
took the lead after 20 minutes, which resulted in Hereford making a small
change to the tactics, bringing on Luke Marston who had an instant impact. With
4 minutes to go till half time, a great move saw Liam Bishop break into the
penalty area, finishing very well, low into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Half time 1-1.
After a
good half time team talk, Hereford settled down, nerves had gone and the belief
that they could win the game now was very clear. Within a minute, Hereford had
scored but the goal was disallowed as Jake Spink (who was excellent all game)
was flagged offside. Worcester continued to be dangerous on the attack, hitting
the post and kept defenders Hayes, Vanstone, Davies and Perkins really busy.
Hereford had control of the game for the majority of the second half and
started to play some great football, creating plenty of chances to score and
came really close hitting the post direct from a Rhys Davies Free kick.
Hereford then took the lead from another free kick from Davies which was headed
in by Joe Mellars making it 2-1 Hereford.
Herefords organisation was excellent
and their fitness levels showed with a really good intensity throughout the
game, making it difficult for Worcester by pressing the ball quickly, making
some great tackles and keeping the ball very well. With 8 minutes to go, Liam
Bishop received the ball from Jack Marston, and from 25 yards out hit an
absolute screamer to make it 3-1 which went in off the bar which sparked some
memorable celebrations with team mates and spectators on the sideline.
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Liam
Brewer: ‘Our Team target was to win the JPL national cup in the next 2 years.
The target is now to retain it next year!! So proud of this group of players
and our whole youth Academy who have all been brilliant this year. The U15s
success is achieved through a great team-spirit, friendship and willingness to
work hard and support each other. "Together Everyone Achieves More".
Huge thank you to a number of HFC supporters who made the journey up, fantastic
to see HFC shirts in the crowd watching... Thank you from all staff and
players.... What a great season”
The
JPL Cup Experience
The cup
run not only provided some memorable football moments but it has also given the
players a great experience which will live with them for a long time. The run
saw them compete in 12 games in total, beating Bristol Rovers, Evesham United
and Gloucester City twice and drawing and losing to Worcester City in the Group
stages. They were then drawn at home to Birmingham City in the Last 16 which
saw a good crowd watch them win 3-2 at Victoria Park. The Quarter final was a
great experience for the boys, playing Wimborne Town Away. A long journey meant
an over-night stay which provided some great preparation for what turned out to
be a dramatic game, going 2-1 down with 5 minutes to go then equalising
instantly, sending the game into extra time and then penalties where Hereford
finally won 6-5. The semi-final will always hold great memories as Hereford
were drawn at home to Newport County and the game was played at Edgar Street
which was another great spectacle with around 170 spectators watching Hereford
come from 1-0 down at half time to win 2-1 and progress to the final. The final
was played at Lilleshall, a great venue and is the former England Football team
training ground. Hereford knew they were in for a tough game, having played
Worcester City twice this season, losing and drawing to them. As a squad,
Hereford believed that this year “was their year” and knew it was their time to
win and that’s exactly what they did!
Liam Brewer
Head Academy Coach
U12s-U16s / Under 15s Manager