Hucclecote Hawks U10’s lifted their first major trophy in the Gloucester Youth League Cup final, defeating local rivals Abbeymead Rovers 4 – 2.

In an excellent match played in a good spirit the opening minutes were evenly balanced with both sides looking to attack. However, Hucclecote’s passing game began to get on top with Tim Ranken and Matthew Webster threading some excellent balls through to create chances for the forward line.

On 10 minutes an in swinging corner from Cameron Williams was met on the volley by Bradley Stalley to put the Hawks into a deserved lead. The quality of football from both sides was of a very high level for their young age, the highlight of which was George Anderson going on a solo run passed two defenders and smashing a shot from the left hand angle against the Abbeymead cross bar only to see it bounce down on to the line and away.

The flowing football from Hucclecote continued with Bradley and Cameron continuing to combine to create chances and the Hawks eventually doubled their lead on 20 minutes when Bradley collected the ball and flicked a perfectly weighted pass through to his strike partner and Cameron hammered it into the bottom corner.

Just when Hucclecote looked to be cruising to a comfortable half time lead Abbeymead struck back in style scoring twice inside 2 minutes to level the game up at the break. The first was possibly the move of the match with 4 Abbeymead players combining to create an opening that was well finished, and within a minute the final was level with a similarly well worked move.

In the early stages of the second half the Hucclecote defence came under pressure but some solid defending by Charlie Mackie and Jacob Seddon was matched by a fine diving save by Tom Rees along with some safe handling to ensure the match remained level.

As the half progress the dominant Tim Ranken in defence along with his partners Charlie and Jacob kept things tight as both Ryan Francis and Matthew Webster took control of midfield. A couple of swift changes livened things up and soon George Anderson was off on another solo run only to be brought down right on the left hand edge of the Abbeymead penalty area. The resulting free kick was expertly hammered in by Cameron to but Hucclecote back in front.

The last 15 minutes continued to see Hucclecote control possession with Abbeymead dangerous on the break. However, with Ryan and Matthew interchanging well in midfield and Charlie, Tim and Jacob having things under control at the back it was Hucclecote who looked the more likely to score again. And with 5 minutes left another substitution saw Bradley and Cameron link up again and ultimately close the match out. Bradley’s through ball to Cameron was coolly finished and his hat-trick was complete and the match secure.

The referee’s final whistle saw the celebrations kick off although credit must also go to Abbeymead in what the chairman of the league, Geoff Goodwin, later describe as possible the best U10’s final in the league’s history. But it was the Hucclecote Hawks who lifted their first major honour under the captaincy of Tim, having finished 2nd in the league and 3rd the year before in their first competitive season.

Ade Stalley