Evans-Moore Plate - 13/6/09
Winners: W Bellamy & Richard Alibon
RICHARD ALIBON AND WILLIAM Bellamy shared the Evans-Moore Plate after a day of enthralling football action. With twelve teams vying for the final piece of silverware of the BDSFA small sided competitions, the standard of football was high.
Group A saw Richard Albion and William Bellamy Yellow take the top two positions. Bellamy were free scoring in their games, scoring nine goals in their five games to take top spot. Alibon relied on a solid defence to make the semi finals, not conceding at all as they went through as group runners-up.
Group B was tighter with Roding setting the early pace with two good wins. St Joseph's were also in good form and three straight victories saw them go to the top of the group, where they stayed. William Bellamy Blue started slowly but wins in their final two matches, coupled with Roding only drawing their last two fixtures, saw Bellamy secure the runners up spot.
Both semi-finals were tense affairs, especially with both William Bellamy sides squaring up to each other. The Yellow team were quicker out of the blocks but some inspired defending by the Blue rearguard meant the tie went to the extra time. The Blue side had some good chances in extra time but a solitary goal meant joy for the Yellow team.
The second semi-final saw Richard Alibon and St Joseph's face up to each other. Again the game was tight, with both sides' defences on top. It was no surprise then when the tie ended goalless and the outcome went to a dreaded penalty shoot out. With nerves jangling, Alibon went through after their keeper pulled off several good saves.
The final saw a repeat of the first game in Group A and, with everything at stake, both sides started quickly, eager to get that first important goal.
Bellamy almost grabbed it but their striker was denied by a last ditch tackle and Alibon's live wire forward was unlucky to see his snap-shot fly over the bar.
With extra time looming, both sides sat back - not wanting to concede a late goal. Extra time was as equally cautiously although Bellamy almost broke Alibon hearts as their striker's shot, with the last kick off the game, crashed back off of the upright.
So the trophy was shared, in what was an outstanding advert for Primary Schools' football.
William Bellamy Jnr and Richard Alibon: Joint Winners
