Driffield Pumas U12 2
Westella&Willerby U12 0
Plate final
The end to an excellent season saw Driffield Pumas U12 take on fellow top division team Westella & Willerby in the final of the Hull Boys League plate at Dene Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was evident on arrival that due to the wet, boggy pitch and tricky cross wind that Pumas would struggle to play their normal fast attacking football and would need to take a more direct no nonsense approach to the game.
Driffield started the game well. The defence of Marson, Maddox and Sweeney finding time and space to push forward, linking well with Taylor and Dixon in central midfield. Despite the good possession Pumas were finding it hard to make any clear cut openings against a well organised Westella defence.
An early corner fell to Sweeney on the edge of the box who had his shot blocked and another good move involving Smith cutting in from the left ended with striker Peart blasting over.
An injury to Sweeney saw Johnson come into defence as Driffield continued to dominate. Westella struggled to threaten the Driffield goal, however when a long ball caught out the Puma defence keeper Ashton was on hand to make a great diving save to keep the score level.
Shortly after another fast Westella break was ended by a superb Maddox tackle winning the ball cleanly on the edge of the box . Then at last the break through, Morley’s strong header found Dixon in space who played a great pass to Peart who with a trademark excellent finish clipped it past the keeper, half time 1-0 to Pumas.
Into the 2nd half and Pumas began to play with more fluency without ever really finding top gear. They continued to make most of the attacking in the game and chances started to come.
Dixon’s shot was excellently turned away by the Westella keeper while both Taylor and Marson went close from Smiths inswinging corners.
Then came them second and vital goal for Driffield. A change of tack saw Smith play a corner short to Dixon who beat his man before crossing into the area, Taylor reacted quickest to turn and shoot low into the corner, 2-0 to Pumas.
Minutes later and nearly another, a free kick from the right found Marson in the middle whose point blank shot was somehow saved by the Westella keeper.
Driffield continued to remain strong at the back with keeper Ashton generally uncalled on for much of the half. Johnson and Morley were keeping things tight on the right while Marson covered and cleared the Westella counter attacks brilliantly.
With time running out Peart volleyed over from a Smith pass as the referee’s whistle blew to give Driffield Pumas an excellent 2-0 victory and the u12 Plate trophy.
This game finished with Pumas on an incredible 18 match unbeaten run in league and cup. This has seen them win the u12 Plate trophy and come runners up in the top Myton Division, a brilliant effort by all the boys.
Mentions go to Warren Lambert who missed the final due to holidays and to the injured Mottershead who hopefully will return for next year.
Thanks to all parents and supporters who have helped make the season such an enjoyable one and to team sponsors, The Original Woodwork Co.
Driffield Tigers U15 0
Skirlaugh U15 4
Driffield Tigers dream of producing another cup upset in the Hull Boys under 15s Knock Out Cup final against Myton league champions Skirlaugh on Sunday at Bridlington Town’s Queensgate ground were dashed by their illustrious opponents.
Driffield started the game brightly, but things didn’t go to plan as they found themselves a goal behind after five minute. From this point Skirlaugh had a lot of possession but only created one clear chance that they put wide.
The Driffield defence held firm with Marcus Ewbank, Ben Dinsdale, Dean Walton and Matthew Busfield playing well.
The midfield four of Hayden Javeleau, Jo Leslie, Sam Pallant and Tom Burton tried to get into the game on the large Queensgate pitch along with front two Eliot Andrews and Reggie Hogger. Oli Pea replaced Burton halfway through the first half before Skirlaugh scored again.
Tigers had two half chance to get back into the game as Javeleau headed wide and Hogger thrashed his effort wide after a rampaging run from the back by Busfield.
Two late first half goals made the task even harder as the tigers went in at half time 3-0 down.
To their credit the boys came out fighting in the second half and gave it a real go to get back into the game.
They throw caution to the wind and attacked which left the defence very stretched.
But Skirlaugh found keeper Jack Gibson in inspired form as he made save after save to keep the score the same. The only goal to get past him was a penalty kick. All the remaining subs got onto the field in the second half – James Longbottom, Will Sharpe and Ben Ibson.
Tigers had a great chance to pull a goal back as a counter attack by Hogger ran from his penalty area full length of the pitch only for the keeper to block his charge.
A corner in the last few minute saw everyone in the box, even keeper Gibson, and a snap shot by Walton flew over the bar to end the game with a 4-0 defeat.
The boys put in a spirited performance against the best team in the Hull league at the moment.
To reach the final was an amazing achievement in itself and they did themselves and their club proud.
Thank you to the many Driffield supporters that went to cheer the boys to make it great day.
Driffield Panthers U10 v
Beverley Town U10
Driffield Panthers travelled to play on a good surface at Bishop Burton College against Beverley Town in what was their final game at 7-a-side.
Neither of these two sides have won Division One this second half of the season, but they play by far the best football in the league and these games showed why.
On a wet surface it was ideal for both sides. And it was Driffield who started the better, playing possibly their best football of the season in the first period.
It would be hard to single any players out on Sunday, with all 10 playing their part.
Driffield dominated the first half, passing at will and with ease, and if anything played one pass too many rather than getting their shot away when on the edge of the area, and they just had the one goal to show for their dominance, via Harvey Botterill.
In the second half Beverley came back into it and deservedly equalised, despite the best efforts of keeper Ruben Syrett, who made some excellent saves in both games.
Similar football followed in the second game, but Beverley looked the better side this time, but Driffield defended very well and the game finished 2-2,.Driffield’s goals coming from Botterill and James Staff.
It was a great way to finish 7-a-side football with the best two sides playing some very eye-catching football.
The Panthers finish after four years as the most successful team in the Hull Boys League top flight, with more top three finishes than any other side and also winning the league on three occasions.
It will be now be interesting to see how they adapt to 9-a-side on a bigger pitch and bigger goals.
Well done to manager Lee Schuller who has produced a good side, always looking to play football the correct way.
Thanks to Joe Sorenson who has refereed many games and finally to Phil Skelton, head groundsman at Driffield Rec. Phil and his team have produced a first-class pitch, not just for the Panthers, but for all teams, and they have been the envy of visitors for the past four years.
Squad: Ruben Syrett, Matty Anderson, Will Railton, Jake Pinkney, James Staff, Harvey Smales, Harry Stabler, Callum Schuller, Harvey Botterill, Mikey McDougall.