For the second year running, Soham faced Kings Lynn in the Eastern Counties U20’s cup final. Following a very comfortable win over Cottenham earlier in the day, Kings Lynn seemed in good form and it was shaping up to be a great final.
Soham started with the ball from the whistle and quickly asserted their dominance with a brilliant early goal courtesy of Nathan Ellis, following a counter attack – a stunning slapshot flying past the Kings Lynn goalkeeper and into the top left hand corner. Despite chances from both teams the game stayed locked at 1 – 0 through to the break even after a Kings Lynn penalty which was excellently saved by the Soham keeper, Tom Allander.
The second half started much the same as the first half had ended, with both teams creating chances kept out by some top class goalkeeping at both ends. Soham were the side to break the deadlock with a second goal superbly put away by Lewis Cakebread on his U20’s debut.
Two goals down and Kings Lynn turned up the pressure, chasing Soham from corner to corner as they searched for a way back into the game. With all four of their players in the Soham half, Kings Lynn left themselves exposed at the back and Soham exploited this through a third and final goal from Robbie Allander to well and truly put the game to bed.
Soham 3 – 0 Kings Lynn, a thoroughly deserved result and more importantly defending the cup for another year.
Team on the day:
3 – Joshua Branchett
4 – Nathan Ellis
5 – Lewis Cakebread
7 – Robbie Allander
9 – Harry Parfitt
10 – Tom Allander
