West Wales Tesco's U13's Cup Final
Stebonheath Park , Llanelli 

Mumbles Rangers (3) v (2) West End United 

 

 

As the boys sat in the dressing prior to this huge game, no one could foresee the drama that was to unfold over the next hour or so.

 

The teams were led out of the tunnel by the match officials and representatives of the West Wales FA and Tesco,  and were greeted by cheers from the good sized Mumbles contingent. However, these were to be the last cheers for a while

 

Ross Greenwood won the  toss and elected to play with the sun behind the Rangers goal, the pitch was in great condition and the surface made slick by a hail shower 10 minuets before kick off. As West End kicked off anticipation levels were high but something about the boys wasn't right, had the big match nerves got to them? what ever it was West End were faster and sharper in everything they did, winning 50/50's, getting their passing together and leaving the Rangers in their wake. As the pressure increased so the chances started to fall to West End a couple of shots whistled wide, some crosses just failed to reach there targets, Ross tipped a free kick over the bar, it was just a matter of time before West End would score but the manner of the goal summed up the way Rangers were playing. A free kick was awarded it appeared at first to Mumbles but as the Midfield pushed on and the defence came up the Ref said it was for West End , they had the speed of mind to take it quickly and with the Rangers pretty much all out of position the West End forward was on his own through on goal and scored with ease, it was no more than West End deserved, however was the ref clear in his communication? it was a strange goal to concede and what little composure the Rangers  had just disappeared, West End sensed this and pushed on looking for another to double their lead and it duly came when the West End forward lashed home a loose ball in the area after some pressure 2-0 , with 5 mins to go Rangers had what was really their only foray into the West End box Sam Davies ran with the ball at feet and as he went past the West End defender he  appeared to be bought down, but the ref waved play on , these I've seen given and some I've seen not given but it was obvious Rangers weren't going to get much. It would have been harsh on West End had the half time score been 2-1 as it could easily have been 3 or 4 nil to them

 

HALF TIME Mumbles Rangers 0 West End 2

 

The floodlights came on in the second half and the Rangers boys had left the changing room early, it was now all about trying to play football and doing themselves justice, and sport is a funny old thing as the Rangers kicked off their body language was more relaxed the first couple of mins saw the Rangers put some passes together for the first time , they appeared quicker and more determined and starting winning some 50/50's and the first period of the half saw the boys grow in confidence they gradually built up a head of steam and soon all the play was in the West End half , the boot was now on the other foot how would West End fare they to their credit defended doggedly but the momentum was with Rangers and after a bit of a scramble in the box the ball broke to the left hand edge of the box where Lewis Greenslade let rip with a right footed half volley , how the ball got through the crowded box was any ones guess but in a split second it was nestled in bottom right hand corner of the West End net. 1-2

        
With the lead halved Rangers were straight back on attack and putting more pressure on the defence, but West End are a quality team and there was always a threat of a breakaway , and as Mumbles pushed for the equaliser a quick break saw a West End forward heading for goal, but  Ryan Vaughan had tracked back and timed his sliding tackle to halt the threat, straight away Rangers were on the front foot once again and the chances were coming , one of which was deflected for a corner, As Matt Bignal signalled to the box he fired in a low curling corner towards the near post it may have gone in direct it may have taken a touch off Will Kehoe but what the hell it went in 2-2

        
It was now full steam ahead, from being down and out at half time the boys were now sensing victory, they kept the pressure on and had a couple of chances and two penalty appeals turned down, but as the pressure continued West End broke and only a perfectly timed sliding tackle from Corry prevented the West End attacker firing at goal, Still the Rangers poured forward not wanting the game to end but as the fourth official held up the board to indicate 3 mins of injury time everyone got ready for extra time, every one that is except the Rangers players, as once again they poured forward the ball fell to Will who was tripped as he tried to turn his marker, 40 seconds left on the clock, the free kick on the right hand edge of the box Jack Longden standing over it with Rhys, Corry, Will and Sam in the area a good delivery might yield something, Jack hit a cross towards the six yard box it was all in slow motion as Mumbles and West End players went for it but Will Kehoe got a Glance on it the ball hit the turf and spun up past the keeper into the net ,unbelievably with 25 seconds left it was 3-2 to Mumbles, an extra minute was played and then the final whistle went.  

    
Mumbles Rangers were West Wales champions and on the basis of the second half performance it was deserved , the boys dug deep and showed real spirit to come back against the odds, so credit to them all Ross, Chris , Jimmy, Ryan, Rhys, Corry, Tom, Lewis, Luke, Matt, Jack, Will, Sam, and Miles also well done to Steve and Mark so onwards and upwards Champions of Wales next? who knows.