George Walker Memorial Trophy

Special Report by Terry Edwards

Under 12's South 8 v 0 Harpenden Colts U12's

The Annual match between St Albans City Youth Under 12's and Harpenden Colts Under 12's playing for the George Walker Memorial Trophy took place at Clarence Park midweek raising money for the Andy Goodchild fund.

The match, played in front of over 200 spectators is in memory of former City Youth President George Walker was attended by a number of dignitaries, including the Mayors of both St. Albans and Harpenden and Mrs Joan Bartholomew, president of Harpenden Colts.

Both sides were nervous to start with by playing on a full size pitch but they soon shock of the nerves with James Smith for St. Albans and then Will Bates for Harpenden both going close with good chances to open the scoring.

However it was St. Albans who scored first in the 13th minute when Michael McDonough fired across a corner which Alex Twyman converted at the near post with a tap in from six yards. Harpenden tried to get back into the game with firstly Will Bates having two chances cleared and then David Taylor saw his shot saved, Joe Burgess then saw his effort crash into the side netting.

Then in the 28th minute the Saints went 2-0 up when Tom Clark took a quick throw-in to Alex Twyman who slipped the ball to James Smith who then squared it to Josh Rolls to score from close range at the far post. James Smith, for the Saints, had a shot saved and Will bates for the visitors raced clear but a timely tackle from Chris Barry rescued the Saints from the danger. There was nothing anyone could do when in the 34th minute Nathan Sandiford, thirty yards out, struck an awesome shot on the volley that gave the Harpenden keeper Sam Claridge no chance, to put the Saints 3-0 up at half time. In the second half Kian Esmizarda and Will Bates both went close for Harpenden and Smith and Sandiford did likewise for the saints. With about fifteen minutes left it was 4-0 when a hard drive by Ben Weinberg was parried by Claridge but it was Josh Rolls following up to tap home the loose ball. This goal started a goal rush and seven minutes later it was 5-0 when George Hackett fired home from the edge of the box after Harpenden tried top clear the ball. Two minutes later it was six when James Rosson, with a rare left footed shot scored from sixteen yards. Nathan Sandiford then scored his second goal of the match with a great curling shot from twelve yards after he had been sent clear by an inch perfect pass from Rob Walker.

Still the Saints had not finished and Josh Rolls completed his hat-trick with a minute to go with a low drive from fourteen yards after being set-up by a pass from George Hackett to make the final score 8-0 to the Saints. Nathan Sandiford nearly made it nine but his shot crept just past the post with seconds to go.

After the match the presentations were made to the winning team by the mayor of St. Albans, Keith Stammers and Mr Stuart Walker. The man of the match trophy, The Eric Morecambe Shield, was presented to Harpenden's keeper Sam Claridge by Mrs Joan Bartholomew.

 Please support our Sponsors