London SFA RA Bailey 5-a-sides
(Holders - Avenue)
ST MARGARET'S SUFFERED MORE cup final despair as they went down in the R.A. Bailey Trophy to Avenue Primary from Sutton. Despite storming into a two goal lead, the Barking based school went down 5-3 and had settle for the runners-up spot at the end of a goal filled afternoon. No fewer than seventy five goals were scored in just twelve games as the schools went goal crazy.
The afternoon had started brightly for St. Margaret's, coming from behind to defeat Avenue 2-1. They then made sure of the top spot in their group with a 7-0 thumping of fellow Barking & Dagenham school, The Leys. Avenue bounced back from their opening defeat, brushing aside The Leys 2-0 to join St. Margaret's in the last four.
Spirit
Group Two saw even more goals as Hunters Hall and Rush Green both scored six in their opening ties against Godwin and Hartley respectively. Hunters Hall, the reigning Borough champions, showed some fighting spirit to come from 2-0 down to beat Hartley 4-2 and Rush Green made it two from two with a 5-0 win over Godwin. Hartley and Godwin then played in one of the games of the day, with Hartley coming out on top 4-3, despite their oppoenents holding a two goal lead. Hunters and Rush Green then squared up to decide the group winners and a Max Watters inspired Green come out on top 3-2.
In the first semi-final Hunters Hall raced into a three goal lead, shell-shocking St. Margaret's but the talented Barking school, led by the impressive MJ Folkes,scored six unanswered goals to book their place in the final.
Stirring
The second semi final was equally exciting, with Rush Green opening up a four goal lead, only to see their advantage disappear as Avenue produced a stirring comeback to send the tie into extra time. This couldn't separate the two sides and so penalties were needed and it was the Sutton based, Avenue who held their nerve to break Rush Green hearts.
The final saw a repeat of the first game of the afternoon as St. Margaret's scored twice early on. They then missed a number of chances, which came back to haunt them as they had no answer to Avenue's impressive strikers. The game was turned on it's head as Avenue scored five in reply and even though St. Margaret's pulled one back, Avenue held on to secure the title and leave St. Margaret's empty handed yet again.
