DEREHAM TOWN FC U10 WHITES WIN CUP FINAL
DTFCU10W travelled to Watton to play in their second consecutive South Norfolk Plate Cup Final having lost the previous years as U9's to Wymondham Serpents. Dereham had beaten 3 very good teams to make it to the final, Dragons (5-0) , Brandon (7-1) & Wanderers (3-2).
This was the end of an era being the teams last mini soccer game together, next year will see 4 of the squad playing U10's again with the rest moving onto 11 a side. This time round it was against Wymondham Lizards rather than Serpents - a team DTFC had played 4 times each with 2 wins with a combined 16-16 score line ... it was a game too close to call.
DTFC started with Kane Fisher in goal, playing behind Capt Jack Boyce and Nick 'Tricky' Hollyoaks with one from Gareth Matthews or Tommy Blowers in Defensive Mid with 3 from Todd Cantwell, Phil Denton, Lewis Jarrett, Nikos Hinnis or Tom Cockaday playing up front!
Dereham started brightly launching attack after attack with every player working well. Todd, Phil & Lewis working beautifully together asking questions of the Wymondham defence, with Jack, Tricky, Gareth & Kane protecting Dereham's goal whenever facing a counter!
Changes followed to keep the team fresh; with Tommy introduced for Gareth, the team coped well continuing to play good football!
Todd was unlucky to see a long range free kick graze the bar, Phil went close too but the Lizards defence held firm. The 1st 15 belonged to DTFC taking the lead from a Todd corner with Tommy scoring with a superbly headed ball that gave the keeper no chance.
The game swung with Lizards scoring with another sweetly headed goal soon after, now it was the Dereham defence's turn to shine repelling countless attacks from Wymondham who would dominate the last 10. Jack, Tricky, Gareth & Tommy all played their part as did Kanie who was having a great game in goal!
A special mention to Kanie's kicking which was quite superb!
Nikos was introduced and was soon in the thick of it; this team works together with the defence supporting the runners who were tracking back well to help out defensively - the game was now free flowing and end to end.
The 1/2 finished 1-1
The second half started well for both sides, each playing some excellent football befitting a cup final; the Lizards keeper was in excellent form preventing Todd, Phil & Lewis on several occasions
Lewis after a fine run hit the post with a superbly struck shot, the game swung back to DTFC with Gareth pushing up supporting the forwards seeking a winning goal which came from Phil who scored his 52nd of the season with a sweetly placed left across the goal.
Tom was introduced and chased down a ball heading for a Wymondham throw which he saved turning he hit a 1st time pass into Todd's feet on the edge of the box who found Phil who scored his 2nd and his teams 3rd.
To their credit Wymondham never gave up, kept playing football and put the Dereham defence under huge pressure for the last 5 with the Dereham boys protecting the 2 goal margin magnificently
DTFC won the Cup 3-1
Man of the Match ... the team, both teams - excellent football witb a 'classy' attitude
Special mentions .... To Kev & Nath who understood why we trained as we did the last 3 weeks and supported the Whites every step of the way, to the 'Blacks' who gave 100% in training - thank you, you each helped us be ready for that game!
To Emily, on tour with NCFC, to Liam, Daniel & Sam thanks for the part you played in the cup run ... each of you has a hand on the Cup and each of you can travel to Thetford to collect a winners medal!
Gary's notes ... what a game, what a day, what a journey, my last game as Manager of DTFCU10'S ... your last mini soccer game, your last game as the 'Whites' ... you were all simply quite excellent - i wish you all the very best in the future both with your football and your lives!
I told the players b4 the game ... 4get it's a cup final and play your football ... but if you win this one you will be able to remember how good it feels even when your as old as me ... i know i will : )
DTFC Awards MAY 20th 
