The 2013 U13’s Humberside Cup final was played today, with Malet Lambert School of Hull, and Vale Academy of Brigg competing for the honours. The game was expected to be an exciting encounter with both teams scoring many goals in their run towards the final.
The game started with a fast pace and both sets of players keen to impress with their high energy work rates. It was this approach that led to the first goal of the game, as constant pressure and direct play from Vale resulted in a miscommunication in the Malet Lambert defence, leaving the Vale forward to slot home from close range inside 5 minutes.
Vale continued to apply the pressure in search of a second, however the central midfield pairing of Josh Thacker and Billy Chadwick started to settle the nerves for Malet, disrupting the Vale attacking play and quickly looking to create equalising opportunities. Within 3 minutes of going behind, Chadwick delivered a perfectly weighted long ball from the centre circle, finding Brad Wilson in the Vale penalty area. Wilson calmly brought the ball down before tucking away a placed left foot strike into the bottom corner and level it up at 1-1.
It was Wilson who again popped up to give Malet the lead after 15 minutes. This time a patient, well worked team attack resulted in Wilson picking the ball up just outside the area. With one touch to switch the ball onto his favoured left foot, he managed to curl the ball into the same corner he found earlier in the game and Malet were ahead for the first time.
The next 15 minutes showed again the high level of football on display from these year 8 boys, with both teams harassing and pressuring the other, yet both teams still playing excellent football and creating opportunities. And with an exciting half drawing to a close, Malet looked to be comfortable heading to half time 2-1 to the good. Then, as they had done from the first whistle, Vale applied the pressure, winning the ball back deep into Malet territory and drawing a foul on the edge of the penalty area. The Vale man stepped up, and delivered a powerful free kick into the bottom right hand corner to level the game at 2-2 on the stroke of half time.
After another intense, exciting period of play at the start of the second, Malet seemed to relax a little and their hard work started to pay off as they began to take control of the game. Billy Chadwick again showing his ability by taking on two back tracking defenders before striking the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to again put Malet Lambert ahead.
Moments later, a two goal lead was secured as Eric Longhorn delivered a deep, out swinging cross from right back, with both teams challenging for the ball, it fell to Jacob Dale in the 6 yard box for him to put away his first of the game.
Malet looked comfortable and began to play some patient football, maintaining possession as they looked to control the game, however Vale again forced an error. As the ball was played back the Adam Shimmin in goal, the Vale forward hurried him into the error and stole the ball, the keeper then brought the striker down in an attempt to regain the ball. The forward managed to compose himself to place the ball well into the bottom corner to give hope to the Brigg outfit.
With both teams battling to gain control, Malet Lambert’s continued pressure paid off as Vale seemed to tire. With 15 minutes to go, the score at 4-3, Malet started to pull away. Billy Chadwick, again the scorer with another fantasic long range strike. After picking the ball up on the left wing, he delivered a well struck ball swerving towards the far post, with nobody getting a touch it nestled into the bottom corner from 25 yards to again stretch the lead to two.
Chadwick turned provider for his central midfield partner with 10 minutes to go, shaping up to shoot from range again before sliding a through ball into the path of Josh Thacker who connected well first time to send the ball into the roof of the net from the edge of the six yard box, 6-3.
With time winding down, Billy Chadwick finished off another excellent Malet attack with his third assist of the game. This time a chipped through ball into the area to the on rushing Jacob Dale, who superbly brought the ball down with his left foot before smashing a right footed volley into the top corner from the penalty spot to wrap up the game and the trophy for Malet Lambert.
The game was played in good spirits and both teams were worthy of their final place. Malet Lambert lifted the trophy as U13’s Humberside champions to complete the treble. This victory ensured the team all three local trophies available to them having already secured the Hull Schools league and cup competitions. A great season finished off with another great victory.