Youth football: Under-15s' silverware is shared out

It was ironic that it came down to the last game of the season and Chichester City Youth’s under-15s had to beat Bourne, their recent cup-final opponents, to clinch the runners-up position in the hotly-contested A league - which had already been won by Regis 2000.

The team formation and tactics had to be changed to cope with the lack of out-and-out forwards in the squad as Chichester were without a number of their regular players because of injury, unavailability and a suspension.

Understandably it took Chichester a while to settle, but they could take comfort that they needed only a point to secure second spot so there was no reason to push things and take risks.

Chichester concentrated on not conceding early on and then using their pace in the shape of the hard-working Joe Gromett up front to catch Bourne on the break.

Despite a number of chances for both teams in the first half, it remained goalless with Chichester having the better of the possession and chances.

After the break Bourne started to press for the goal they needed but that left them exposed at the back and another quick break by Gromett saw him outpace the defence and score the critical goal.

Bourne had to throw everything at Chichester, who were up to the challenge with some heroic defending and yet another outstanding goalkeeping display from their man of the match Ben Roskilly.

This cemented Chichester City Youth under-15s’ most successful season to date with medals from both the cup and league.

CHICHESTER: Ben Roskilly, Matthew Boulton, Sam Fanning (capt), Conner O’hara, James Knowles, Oliver Gilbert, Jonathan Tallent, Mitchell Pope, Jean-Luc Kondabeka, Harry Dry, Joe Gromett, Dan Richardson.

* See more of your youth football team pictures in the Observer this week - and if your side have won a league or cup, send a picture to [email protected]