Haywards Heath Town U18 (1) 1
Tonbridge Angels U18 (2) 6 Richardson 33,71 Waul 45 Kernan 57 Lucas 90 Sulovari 90+2
Headcount: 60
Admission: £5
Mileage: 82/4,695
New Ground: 398
CHAMPIONES!
Championes, Championes rang out around the HSEnergy Stadium, home to Haywards Heath Town, as our Under-18’s clinched an ultimately comfortable 6-1 win the seal the Isthmian Youth League East title for a second, consecutive time.
After falling behind, the Angels fought back to lead 2-1 at the break and a thoroughly dominant second half performance saw them rattle in another four goals to spark the celebrations.
Dom Welsh, U18’s manager, commented after the champagne had been sprayed: “The dressing room is brilliant, it’s cliche but they’re honestly such a top group of lads, accountability isn’t something often associated with youth level footballers these days, but these lads have that, and not only that, they hold each other accountable too, they’re buzzing tonight, but they have the ‘want more’ mentality. They are already talking of the champions of champions games.”
Dom was taken back to a 4-3 defeat at Cobham and it was put to him that to win the league at that point they would probably need to win every game to retain the title. They’ve done that, and a bit more, as the run includes a trip to the Kent Intermediate Cup Final.
Dom: “After Cobham there was really hurt and disappointment, which on reflection has brought out the best in the group, it’s brought a winning mentality that’s got us to the title. Since that evening we’ve won 10 games in a row, scoring 38 goals in the process, so it definitely turned into a turning point for us.”
On a really cold evening in West Sussex, Tonbridge dominated from the outset with chances falling to Robert Penman, Ed Dyer and Callum Fincham, so it was a real surprise when they went a goal behind, on 20 minutes, as a long ball forward took an awkward bounce that deceived Dyer and allowed the Haywards Heath forward to execute a well taken goal with a lob over the advancing Jacob Hunt.
Dom said of the goal: “It definitely wasn’t in the plan to go one down, the mentality in the build up has been that we wanted to have a quick start and get the game into our control early on, but that’s football, on the night we created loads early on, and got sucker punched with their only shot of the night. However, the players stayed cool, the messages remained consistent and we turned it into a comfortable night. I had said to them before the game, you’ve got to earn a title, it won’t be handed to you tonight, and they certainly took that on board.”
The Angels youngsters continued to knock the door, but as the half drew on and more chances came and went, there was a certain anxiety growing, if only from the visiting support. But, the breakthrough came on 33 minutes when a cross from the right was turned in by Mackenzie Richardson from close range.
In first half added time, which was significantly long due to a serious looking injury to a Haywards Heath player, Richardson opened up an opportunity for Nathaniel Waul who fired past the goalkeeper to give the Angels a half-time lead.
The second half was an absolute procession, but the longer the game wore on, the need for a third goal, and a bit of breathing space, was concerning given that a goal from Haywards Heath and a draw would be opening the door for Cobham.
Some near misses and good goalkeeping kept the Angels at bay until the 57th minute when a quick throw-in caught the home defence unaware which allowed Lucas Kernan an unchallenged run into the box to bury his shot into the bottom corner.
Relaxing, but maintaining their momentum, Tonbridge went further ahead on 71 minutes when Fincham set up Richardson to tuck home a fourth and on the stroke of the final minute of regular time, a shot from Kyler Barton was parried into the path of Ashton Lucas to make it five.
A sixth was to come, and it was a rather special moment as Dani Sulovari headed home after making the initial run and following up Lucas’ shot with a smart header, as Dom explains: “The celebrations from the outside for a sixth goal may have seemed over the top, but we’ve been giving Dani a hard time over the last few weeks, as he’s been the only U18 squad member not to score, and that includes goalkeeper, Jacob Hunt. It was a fitting way to end the league season with Dani getting his first ever goal!”
As is always the way with age group football, team building needs to start straight away but the introduction of Kent Youth League participation at Under-16 level has given Dom Welsh a platform from which to work as he explains: “The U16’s have had a fantastic season, I think every single one of that group have had some exposure to the U18’s across the season, whether that be in training or games. We’ve handed 11 U16 players their U18 debuts this season, with John Fuller being promoted into the squad permanently. They deserve a massive pat on the back for their contribution. But, a large contingent of our current squad are second years, so the building has already begun for next season with initial trials already having been held and we look forward to continuing to create more memories like tonight!
The season doesn’t end there for the U18’s as they now compete for the Isthmian Champions of Champions Trophy. As yet, the opponents and venue are to be arranged but we have been informed that the semi-final will take place on the week commencing 4th May with the final a week later. It sets up an exciting but busy week of football with the Kent Intermediate Cup Final on the 6th May at Chatham Town against Hollands and Blair.
Haywards Heath have a magnificent 70 year-old grandstand that lays back slightly from the pitch, but nevertheless, gladdens the old purist's eye!
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