U15 Cup Final - Debenham LC 3 Copleston SC 0

The 2008 Suffolk knock-out Cup Final, this year hosted by Framlingham Town, was keenly contested between Copleston and Debenham L.C. The result saw Debenham manager Gary French seeing double, though not necessarily because of the amount of alcohol consumed at a celebration party later the same evening!
Debenham entered the final on the back of a league title a few weeks earlier and were eager to add another trophy to the cabinet, hopeful of a performance worthy of their growing self beilief.
Copleston, it should be noted were in no mood to roll over and die and to their credit, never made the Debenham victory an easy one.

Copleston took the initative with a flurry of attacking moves at the start of the match, but a good defensive clearance by Zoe Elliott calmed Debenham nerves and encouraged the beginning of their more usual style of attacking play that has become the pattern of their games. Copleston however had a very well organised last line of defence which frequently frustrated Debenham forwards, made passing difficult, and resulted in much of Debenham's shooting being done from long range. It was therefore unexpected that the first goal of the game was scored by a player only feet from the goal line. A well taken corner from Jemma French was courageously headed down by Zoe Elliott and the ball hit the back of the net via a post.

With good wing play by Ceara O'Keefe, Lisa Dennis and Clare Bevan and dynamic non-stop running of sweeper Jemma French, providing the ammunition for forwards Sammy Westgate, Lauren Squirrell and Sophie Adamson, Debenham efforts to increase were rewarded in the second half but again the scorer was defender and captain Zoe Elliott. Her forward balls are frequently hit over defenders heads for others to run on to but this time a powerful hit along the ground from near the halfway line somehow squeezed through the goalkeeper's arms and legs to double Debenham's advantage.

Debenham continued to press forward with resolve and nearly increased their score, the best efforts coming from a Lisa Dennis lob that a defender had to head behind, a burst through defence and shot from Sammy Westgate that went just wide, and a shot from Jemma French from long range that only just cleared the bar.
There was however no room for complacency at the other end of the field, and defenders Zoe Elliott,Tasha Barker, Abi Walker and Charlie Felgate ably assisted by the safe hands of Esther Gosling in goal, had to be ever alert to prevent Copleston getting a foothold back in the game. This eventuality was nearly achieved from a dangerous Copleston free-kick that pierced the Debenham defence. Esther Gosling made a good save but could not hold the ball, which fortunately fell to a Debenham defender to clear.

The final goal of the game, the goal of the match and icing on the cake resulted from a sudden burst through the defence by Lisa Dennis who steered a superb shot past the keeper, giving her no chance to save the ball.
This years final was a credit to both teams and the good sportsmanship shown throughout the game and the obvious pleasure displayed by both teams at having contested this game indicated that there were no real losers.