IT was Mini Soccer Cup Finals day at the Hertfordshire FA County Ground on Sunday – with the four Dacorum teams in action experiencing mixed fortunes.
The first match of the day was the girls’ U10 final and, unfortunately, the Kings Langley Belles could not cause an upset against a strong Garston Ladies team – eventually succumbing to a 3-0 defeat.
The boys’ U9 final followed, and there was success for Comets Sports Club Blue, who saw off Hertford Town Youth with an early goal from Harry Bailey.
Nick Hodgins’ team could have increased their lead as the game went on but Comets ran out deserved winners by the single goal.
Arguably the most exciting match of the day was saved for last, however, as Hemel Athletic Youth Blue took on Berkhamsted Raiders Youth Red in the U10 boys’ final.
In front of a large crowd, Raiders took the lead straight from the kick-off when Harry Gilks fired home a bullet of a shot within 10 seconds.
Athletic fought back valiantly, but the equaliser eluded them – until five minutes from the end when Jack Harvey-Bailey scored after sustained pressure on the Raiders goal.
Harvey-Bailey then put Athletic 2-1 ahead just two minutes later, but Raiders pressed forward to level the scores through Tom Fisher.
There was still time for yet more late drama, though, and Lewis Collins bagged a last-gasp winner to secure the trophy for Athletic.