20 Apr 2008 - Under 15's Cup Final Match report. Sunday 20th April 2008

 Copleston 0 Debenham 3

I heard an interesting quote recently.  ‘It’s not winning that counts, it’s trying to win.’  The girls couldn’t have tried harder today and everyone who watched the match knows that the score line flattered Debenham in the end.

As in all of the previous encounters with Debenham, Copleston started the brighter of the two teams and left Debenham in no doubt that they would have to work hard to beat a Copleston team who were ready to do battle.

But Copleston found themselves up against a Debenham side with the best defensive record in the league (they’ve never let in many goals in all the seasons we’ve played them) and despite a couple of good chances, were unable to break through.

Debenham went in a goal up at half time, in spite of Copleston looking their equals.

Although the sky blues never dropped their heads and worked hard until the final minute it wasn’t to be their day and the league champions lifted the cup to complete a fine season.  Well done to them and to their manager Gary French who goes about things the right way.

So, do we take positives away from the game?  You bet we do.  The team spirit has never been stronger and for large parts of the match Copleston outplayed their opponents.  Everyone gave 100% and ‘Miss Indestructible’ Alysha Martin picked up her fifth Girl of the Game vote this season.

Team captain Amy Trenter led by example and produced her best performance in a Copleston shirt and Siobhan’s header in the first half was probably my favourite moment of the entire season!

Be proud that you won a place in the final – five other teams didn’t – and that you gave a fantastic account of yourselves on the day.  The applause at the end of the match and when the trophies were presented was warm and well deserved.

Rick Double

Manager U15s