Juniors are on a High

UNDER 12 LEAGUE CUP FINAL: Highworth Juniors under 12s cup final defeat last season obviously didn't play on their minds as they dispatched Ferndale Rodbourne 3-1 in a closely-fought final.

Joe Chapman made the difference on a day when there was little to separate between the two sides.

In the seventh minute Highworth's Bradley Hooper played an excellent ball from halfway to put Danny Hale through on goal but Jack Goodenough was able to save when at full stretch.

Fifteen minutes later Jacob Hayden beat the defence but his shot was saved easily by Goodenough.

Ferndale counterattacked as Chris Jones played a through ball into the path of David Maksymuk and he forced a save from David Groom with a 12-yard effort.

Highworth eventually took the lead four minutes before half-time when Chapman drilled into the bottom corner from a Lewis Petrie corner.

Hayden almost doubled that lead when he shot from a tight angle, forcing a good save from Goodenough following good link up play between Hale and Hooper.

Eight seconds into the second half Chapman had doubled the lead as he lobbed Goodenough after running onto a ball over the top.

A minute later Sam Farr set Hayden free and after turning his man he shot narrowly wide.

A surging run from Maksymuk midway through the second period provided him with a chance but Groom was equal to his shot from the edge of the area.

On 47 minutes, Hayden beat four defenders before crossing to Farr. However Farr miskicked.

Five minutes later, Highworth's calls for a penalty were waved away and the ball fell to Chapman on the edge of the area.

An unmarked Lever found himself on the end of Chapman's cross and slotted home.

It could have been four moments later but Hale shot inches over from a Chapman cross.

After having an earlier goal disallowed for a foul on Groom, Ferndale eventually found a late consolation goal three minutes into injury time when Mike Chambers beat the Highworth keeper from long range.

Man of the Match: Jacob Hayden (Highworth Juniors)

Report & picture courtesy of Swindon Evening Advertiser
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