OLD CATTON EDGE OUT TAVERHAM TO WIN JOHN SAVAGE CUP

Old Catton Juniors became the 2019 John Savage Cup winners last night after edging out Taverham 1-0 at the FDC.

In a fiercely fought final between two highly rated U16 teams, the fixture was a tight affair. However a moment of quality from Old Catton saw Spencer Cawcutt score the only goal of the game to clinch the cup for the home side on the night.

The game started nervously with both sides aware of the quality of their opposition. Captain Joe Muskett was confidently spraying passes around from deep for Taverham, and nearly unlocked the Old Catton defence with a long free kick that keeper and fellow captain, Oliver Roberts, struggled to claim.

Up the other end, a troublesome looking Old Catton corner was punched clear by Findlay McFarlane in the Taverham goal. Despite a host of Catton players bearing down on the loose ball, Muskett was on hand to hook clear.

The deadlock was broken on the 24^th minute when Oliver Rampling won a tussle of possession with Taverham’s James Everett and played a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Cawcutt. The forward’s first touch took the ball away from recovering Rio Ward and allowed him to slot it past the onrushing McFarlane and putting Old Catton 1-0 up.

Old Catton began to get a foothold on the game, dominating possession in the middle third and attacking with intent to pin Taverham back. Tyler Matthews had some good spells down the left flank for Old Catton, but Harvey Johnson down the same side was equal to the challenge.

Despite some efforts on the counter attack, Taverham were unable to create any clear cut chances before the break.

Half Time: Old Catton Juniors 1 – 0 Taverham

Taverham started the second half brighter, with an impetus in their attacking play. Jake Melton looked dangerous on and off the ball, particularly when making runs in behind.

Melton’s movement almost paid off when he was played through one on one with the keeper, however as the number seven shaped up to shoot, Catton’s Tyler Eastall made a fantastic recovery run to make a superbly timed last ditch tackle.

Taverham continued to push for an equaliser as minutes ticked by, with Melton again involved in good play alongside Arly Bassham, switching to Johnson on the right; but once again Catton defended well to suffocate any danger.

Old Catton almost made the game safe just before full time when Colby Watts used some nifty footwork to shift the ball through a congested Taverham area, but the forward sliced his shot wide to the right.

Despite a late rally from Taverham, Old Catton stood firm and defended well in the remaining minutes, as they had all game. Despite a tough contest and a very tight game, the home side deservingly kept their slender lead and secured the 2019 John Savage Cup.  

Full Time: Old Catton Juniors 1 – 0 Taverham

PHOTOS - A full photo album of this fixture can be found here: 

Line ups:

Old Catton Juniors: Oliver Roberts ©, Tyler Eastall, Kyle Halil, Rhys Anderson, Evan Perry, Liam Cork, Colby Watts, Oliver Rampling, Spencer Cawcutt, Thomas Gotts & Tyler Matthews.

Subs: Toby Forder, Connor Wright, Charlie Swatman, Charlie Mayhey.

Taverham: Findlay McFarlane, Rio Ward, Joe Muskett ©, James Everett, Arly Bassham, Jake Melton, Lewis Bonner, James Wagner, Callum Dickinson, Harvey Johnson & Sonil Vasileiou.  

Subs: Alfie Salmons, Evan Field, Emmanuel Akpan, Patrick Parle.

Referee: Harvey Newstead
Assistants: Daniel D’Cruz & Harley Golder
Fourth Official: Karl Smith
Attendance: 200
Player of the Match: Kyle Halil