An enthralling, closely contested Ridgeons Youth League Championship play off Final was won in the final minute of extra time by a wonderful 25 yard strike by Dereham Town, conquerors of the East Division. Despite the loss, Huntingdon can take great heart that the result was in doubt to the final seconds with penalties beckoning. Indeed, there can be few teams in the absence of a recognised goalkeeper, have to put the centre forward between the posts for such a prestigious football match.

Nonetheless, the reshuffled team competed admirably against a Dereham side who moved the ball well. It was Matty Cox who had the first real chance after twelve minutes, when his shot was pushed away and minutes later, Louie Medwynter had a good drive held by the Dereham keeper.

Huntingdon were fortunate after twenty minutes, when Bones kicked a clearance against the post, followed by a header crashing against the same post from the resultant corner, and Isaacs saving superbly from a fierce drive. However, after this scare, Huntingdon began to regain composure. Clipsham intercepted, moving the ball to Furness, who switched for Matty Cox to have a shot well saved again by the keeper. Opportunities were end to end, with a Dereham free kick flashing just wide of the post, and the reds responding when Matty Cox fired over after good work by Olly Medwynter.

As half time approached, the injured Ashley Welford was replaced by Jake Walton. 0-0.

Second half

Within a minute of the restart, Huntingdon fell behind when Walton was caught in possession in the box, and the magpies fired in, 0-1. Buoyed, Dereham cut through the midfield as Huntingdon tried to rally. Dereham were denied a second goal on the hour after the forwards strayed offside.

Regrouped, Huntingdon began to regain territorial advantage. A succession of corners and neat passing pinned Dereham on the back foot. On sixty six minutes, the boys deservedly levelled. Matty Cox was put through, the keeper saved but the ball fell to Louie Medwynter who despatched into the roof of the net, 1-1. Both sides created chances, with Isaacs saving well, and Woodward denied by a last ditch tackle as he burst through, but the match was destined for extra time, 1-1.

Extra Time – 1st Period

Huntingdon stormed out of the blocks with chances falling to Matty Cox, again denied by the goalie and Walton whose effort was so close. The Huntingdon rearguard continued to be alert, as Clipsham twice denied the lively strike force as they bore down on goal. Bones went close with a header as the first period remained 1-1.

Extra Time – 2nd Period

Both sides looked visibly tired in the final stages. But endeavour saw Clipsham cut off the Dereham striker as he went to shoot, and Mark Cox did well to suppress the wide threat. Olly Medwynter was replaced by Brockett after seven minutes.

The match was destined for a penalty shoot out until Dereham took the Championship Cup in the final minute with that tremendous strike from outside the area, 1-2. Huntingdon swapped Isaacs for Bones in goal, in a last gasp attempt. Despite securing a flurry of free kicks in added time, Huntingdon were to be denied. The Man of the Match award went to the Dereham keeper.

A gallant effort against a very good team despite a feeling of what might have been, if Isaacs, our centre forward did not have to adopt the role of goal keeper ?

Nonetheless, the boys capped a remarkable season by securing Runners up in the Ridgeons Youth League, a truly tremendous achievement. Well done.

The opportunity remains however, to conclude an already record breaking season with the Treble, and the return to Diss for the Ridgeons Youth Cup Final next Monday 24th May, against Norwich United, who were runners up to Dereham Town in the East division.

Once again, give the boys our full support. Good luck to Mark Furness, Dave Pinner and this talented squad of players in the final football match of the 2009/10 season. Lets make it a winning one !