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The Trevor Gill Cup Final proved to be a competitive game of football played at Aston Villa, between CTC and Turves Green. Both sides were totally committed in trying to play good football, denying each side time on the ball. Midway through the first half, CTC broke the deadlock with an excellent 30 yard volley from Sam Beaven which dipped just under the crossbar. The goal did not discourage the efforts of Turves Green who forced the CTC goalkeeper into a number of saves. Turves Green lost a couple of players due to injuries and  this appeared to spur CTC back into life and they went onto grab another goal from close range through Chris Cowley to make the score line 2-0 at the half time interval.

 

Turves Green U14s

The second half restarted much as the same as the first half with total commitment and effort from both sides. Turves Green began to show a little more composure on the ball and started to attack with purpose. A Daniel Sheperd free kick just outside of the area  was just put over the bar with the CTC goalkeeper well beaten. The staff from both schools started to make substitutions allowing all of the players the opportunity to play at Villa Park which will be an everlasting memory to each individual. A third goal from CTC’s Tom Goodwin seemed to end the game as a contest. As the size of the pitch began to take its toll on the young legs, the game became stretched, with CTC exploiting the space. CTC went on to claim a fourth through Harry Clare with a close range effort.

In the Villa Cup Final St Thomas Aquinas drew 1 - 1 with Lode Heath School which on the day was a very fair result..

 The opening minutes of the game were very tense as the two sides took time to settle. St Thomas Aquinas had the best of the early stages of the game but as the game progressed, Lode Heath began to gain greater possession. Both teams worked hard and the midfield players from each team battle to gain a grip on the match. With 20 minutes gone, a long ball from the back was flicked on by Lode Heath forward Wataru Yoshikawa  into the path of Luke White who ran on to the ball and lofted it over the advancing keeper just in side the penalty area to find the far corner of the net. St Thomas Aquinas responded well and Shane Lewis had to pull off a number of fine saves to keep the score 1 – 0 at half time.

 

Lode Heath Joint Villa Cup Champions

In the  second half, it was Aquinas who came out the quickest with some neat football,  but the  Lode Heath defence stood strong, well marshalled by defenders Jon Norris and Brad Free. St Thomas Aquinas continued to press forward and with only seven minutes left ,they equalised through their captain Liam Spink Lode Heath. With only minutes left to play Aquinas almost snatched a victory  when the ball was played through leaving the player  with a one on one with the keeper Shane Lewis who came out to make a game saving block.

The final whistle signalled the end of a hard fought and well played match.  Both Captains lifted the cup together in a sporting gesture that befitted the event.