Chichester City under-18s have won the title for the third year in a row - while Walberton Wasps have lifted the Under-18 Invitation Cup.
Chichester City 3 Pagham 1
Pagham 1 Chichester City 2
TWO victories against Pagham brought the Sussex youth west-division title to Oaklands Park for the third successive season.
The scene was set on a beautiful sunny day for a derby double-header home tie with Chichester knowing three points would clinch another under-18 title.
A large crowd turned out and they were treated to a quick game of committed football.
Chi started with a high tempo and put pressure on the Pagham goal, but their defence and goalkeeper marshalled the early attacks well to reach half-time with no score.
After the break Chi continued their pressure and a fine through ball from Johan Vandriel put Chi captain Joe Gromett through on goal. He raced through and launched the ball into the roof of the Pagham net to the delight of his team-mates.
A few minutes later a searching run from left-back James Knowles ended in a crunching tackle which saw the ball run free to Tom Green to place the ball calmly in the bottom corner.
There was a reminder from Pagham that the game was not over when a quick break turned the Chichester defence and the ball was calmly lofted over the advancing Austen Holden.
That marked the start of a ten-minute nervy spell for the would-be champions and Pagham threw everything at them.
However a third goal for Chi and a second goal for Gromett sealed the victory and brought the trophy back to Oaklands, showing the value of the club’s long-term youth policy which is now starting to pay dividends by providing top-quality youngsters for both their development (reserves) squad and first team.
The second game of this double header was understandably a little more subdued. Chi started with a number of different players from their 17-man squad but the end result was almost the same with a 2-1 victory for Chichester, with two further goals from the rampant Joe Gromett, taking his tally to four for the day.
It was a great day and a great result for the under-18s and the club.
CHICHESTER SQUAD: Holden, Gilbert, Barratt, Boulton, Knowles, Ansa, Tallent, Gromett, Green, Heath, Lillywhite, Chittock, Boutwood, Pattison, Pope, Ansa, Villanueva.
Bosham Youth were still in the hunt for their title when they visited top side Felpham Colts.
Bosham played the better football but Felpham were more clinical. Felpham raced into a two-goal lead with goals from a long throw and a free kick. Bosham had a strong penalty claim turned down.
In the second half, a long ball caught out the Bosham defence and a Felpham striker slotted home to make it three. A great strike from Charlie Cooper rattled the Felpham bar and another breakaway goal saw Felpham complete a 4-0 win.
Bosham went to Selsey for an evening double-header.
A fantastic strike from Liam Lancaster was the difference between the two teams as Bosham won the first game 1-0. The second saw both teams miss good chances in a 0-0 draw.
Sunday brought another double header, this time against Horsham Sparrows.
With other results going in favour of Bosham, this was a chance to chase second spot.
The first game saw Horsham take an early lead following a defensive error. Bosham started to get their game in motion and were awarded a penalty when Tim Callen was fouled in the box. Callen slotted home the equaliser.
The second period saw Bosham take control and their dominance was rewarded with goals from Phil Merrick, who headed home after Callen’s shot was blocked, and Callen with a simple goal following great work from Jack Antony wide on the right. The final score was 3-1.
In the secnod game, Horsham start brightly and took a hold on the game.
After a goalless first half, Adil Rahman struck home a great left-foot volley to put Bosham one up.
Horsham netted an equaliser that had a touch of fortune with the ball bouncing off Bosham keeper Troy Field.
With one minute left, a Bosham corner found Liam Lancaster who swivelled a hit a superb right-foot shot that flew in for the winner.
BOSHAM: Troy Field, Stuart Andrews, Aaron Domblides, Phil Merrick, Tom Bailey, Charlie Cooper, Jack Antony, Davin Haskett. Tim Callen, Liam Lancaster, Keiran Carter, Charlie Hawes, Chas Richardson, Will Richardson, Tyler Todd, Adail Rahman.
Summerley Park Rangers 1 Walberton Wasps 1
Invitation Cup final
Walberton Wasps won the ACYFL Invitation Cup.
Summerley took the lead two minutes before half-time but in the second half, Wasps raised their game and leading league goalscorer Jake Tice went close after chipping the Summerley keeper.
Wasps went down to ten men when striker Frankie Walsh was sent off for a second yellow card. This seemed to fire up the Wasps and with four minutes left of normal time, they equalised in a goalmouth scramble when Danny Vaughan’s flick rebounded
off the post on to a Summerley defender and ended up in the net.
With determined defending and a brilliant save from Ryan Burch, ten-man Wasps held on through extra-time to take it to penalties.
Summerley’s first penalty was brilliantly saved by Ryan Burch but Jack Tice, Cameron Howel-MacIntyre, Jamie Retter, Levi Stevens and Jake Simpson all converted theirs for Walberton to complete a great gutsy performance.