Young Boys vs Jubilee – The Wensum Print Sunday Junior Cup Final 21-22               

Harrod Sport Arena, 01.05.22, KO 10.30am

Young Boys became the 21-22 Wensum Print Sunday Junior Cup Winners this morning after a dominant performance saw them beat Jubilee 2-0.

In a game an entertaining game where Young Boys saw a goal chalked off on three occasions, it was surprising scoreline of 0-0 at half time. The second half saw the previously anticipated goals right from the restart with Ryan Haylett putting Young Boys ahead and Daegen Watts doubling the lead ten minutes later. 

Both sides had additional chances in the half, with the crowed witnessing goal mouth scrambles, goal line clearances and another disallowed goal. However Young Boys were able to ride out any pressure from Jubilee and secure the trophy. 

The game opened with Young Boys on the front foot and exerting early pressure on the Jubilee backline. However, after the opening ten minutes Jubilee began to grow into the game utilising the flanks to attack.

Young Boys thought they’d broken the deadline in the 19^th minute when a Seamus Bobby free kick was met by Ryan Hayley whose header thundered against the crossbar. George Edwards was on hand to compete for the second ball and managed to nod it over the line, only for the Assistant Referee to raise his flag for offside.

The disallowed goal injected life into the game and moments later Jamie Smith went into the referee’s book for a questionable aerial challenge as tempers began to flair. Young Boys continued to dominate proceedings, playing some nice football and creating chances, however fouls from both sides were halting momentum.

After sustaining a lot of pressure, Jubilee could have taken the lead in the 36^th minute when a long throw from tom fisher was flicked on at the near post. Brad Lake would have tapped home into an empty net if he’d been able to make contact, but the winger was unable to convert despite being at full stretch. Shouts for a penalty were waved away by the Referee and Young Boys were able to gather possession and rebuild.

The first half came to a close with Young Boys on top once again as multiple crosses from the Haylett on the right side caused problems for the Jubilee defence, one resulting in a goal mouth scramble.

With an injury in the box to a Young Boys player, play was halted as stoppage time was announced. From the restart, the home team once again thought they’d took the lead as the drop ball on the edge of the area was converted beautifully by Archie Gallie, only for the Referee to pull it back due it not touching another player on the way into the net.

With celebrations cut short, the second attempt at the drop ball was a less eventful affair and the game petered out to half time.

Half time – Young Boys 0 – 0 Jubilee

The second half began in the same way with Young Boys on the front foot, but this time they were rewarded almost instantly.

A great through ball in the 47th minute broke through the defensive line on the right hand side, and Haylett's pace saw him get to the ball first. A good first touch saw him break into the area and the winger then showed good composure to round the keeper and tap home to put Young Boys 1-0 up. 

Haylett looked dangerous only moments later when he latched onto another through ball and was shaping up to take on a defender, only for the linesman to raise his flag. 

Young Boys doubled the advantage on 58 minutes after excellent work from Jamie Smith saw him take on two players and create a chance on goal. His shot was superbly blocked in the area, only for the ball to ricochet out to Daegen Watts who calmly finished across the goalkeeper.  

Jubilee began to push forward more as they tried to get back into the game, with Tom Fisher playing getting on the ball and playing some probing passes. They had a good chance on 68 minutes when a ball from the left fell to substitute James McCarthy, however he blazed his shot over the bar. 

As the game entered the last ten minutes Harry Blossom nearly put Young Boys out of sight, after Gallie played him through and the pacey wideman bypassed two players. In a great position he completely scuffed his first shot, only to see it fool the keeper into committing himself, allowing him to roll it goalward. Great workrate from a Jubilee defender to get back on the goal line and clear saw a third goal averted. 

In an effort to get something from the game which was becoming more end to end, Jubilee piled forward and had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit, as a deep corner was met by two good headers but both pushed away. This was followed by multiple blocked shots and a goal mouth scramble, with the ball eventually falling to Matthew McGechie who fired his shot agonisingly wide of the post. 

As the final whistle loomed, Young Boys had the ball in the net once again and once again it was ruled out.

Keiran Hagen did well down the right to beat his man to send a perfect cross behind the back line. Unfortunately all three attacking players from Young Boys were in an offside position and Gallie's brilliant finish coming in from the back of the area, was ruled out.

Young Boys were able to see out the final few minutes and secure a 2-0 which sees them become the 21-22 Wensum Print Sunday Junior Cup winners. 

Full time – Young Boys 2 – 0 Jubilee

Line ups:

Young Boys: Ruslan Stefanov, Ryan Haylett, Kieran Money ©, Coren Norman, Archie Galley, Jamie Smith, Deagan Watts, George Edwards, Billy Wenn, Graham Hinton, Seumas Bobby.

Subs: Keiran Duffin, Kieran Hagan, George Diggens, Harry Blossom, Ryan Pye.  

Jubilee: Paul Sturman, Alex Gregory, Daniel Page ©, Taylor Robinson, Will Thursto, Harvey Harwood, James Pegg, Declan Smith-Howell, Tom Fisher, Brad Lake, Connor Laskey.

Subs: Josh McCarthy, Matthew McGechie, Jacob Golden, Elliot Fyans, Oliver Douglas.

Referee: Stuart Jessop

Assistants: Paul Elliot and Alex Passmore

Fourth Official: Steve Hemp

Attendance: 204

Player of the Match: Tom Fisher (Jubilee)

Photography: Sean Golding @seangolding2