Glebe U18 1 Tonbridge Angels U18 3

Match 108/23/2231 - Wednesday, 24th April 2024 - Isthmian Youth League

Glebe U18 (0) 1
Tonbridge Angels U18 (1) 3 Waring 5 Etherington 50,69
Attendance: 39
Admission: £2
Mileage: 64/7,661

The Under-18’s ended their season with a comfortable win at Glebe whilst saying farewell to several of their second years that are no longer eligible for the competition.

With the result having no bearing on league positions for either side, Dom Welsh and his players indulged in a little bit of fun, choosing their positions from a hat. Amazingly, eight of the outfield players picked their own positions with Will Puffette (goodbye) playing as the central striker and Cameron Honarvar (goodbye) filling the centre back position.

Dom said: “We had a bit of fun with it tonight and even then looked comfortable.”

Free from any real worries, the Under-18’s played with a relaxed freedom that was actually quite eye-catching and they went ahead after five minutes when Sam Firman (goodbye) and Felix Waring (goodbye) before the latter drove the ball into the bottom corner.

Puffette was enjoying his role as striker but found both the target and the goalkeeper hard to beat as he had chances to increase the lead.

Glebe steadied the ship and tested Toby Edwards (goodbye) with a save, low to his left after 21 minutes.

The Angels dominated the half and the only surprise was that their lead was not added too and Edwards was needed to perform some of the heroics that he has produced this season to deny the home side with three close range saves in a matter of seconds prior to the break.

Five minutes into the second half, Waring set up Reuben Etherington (goodbye) to double the lead before Glebe pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after the referee deemed a hand ball in the box.

Tolu Fabimafobee, with his tricky feet, opened up the Glebe back line for Etherington to add a third and final goal of the season after 69 minutes.

Dom Welsh, upon whom the responsibility now falls to replace apart from those already mentioned, Sam Gerrard (goodbye) and Ben Martin-Coward (goodbye), said afterwards: “A group I will truly miss working with, been an absolute pleasure, on and off the pitch.”

There is a sense of frustration, finishing third only two points off the champions Cray Valley and, if we indulge in “if only”, no we are not going there.

On a personal basis, thank-you to all of the parents that thanked me

for reporting but in return you have been a great set of parents, ever-present, always supportive and never demanding. You’ve been fantastic.