20/04/2023
By Chris Gibbs
Under-18s ease to record victory in Sentinel Cupfinal
It’s huge congratulations to Dean Gillick, Chris Broad and the boys who made the most of the chance to show what they can do on the big stage by easing to a thumping 8-0 win over an outclassed but gallant Alsager side at Stoke City’s Bet365 stadium.
The margin of victory was the highest ever in this competition’s long and distinguished history and was well merited on a night when our outstanding youngsters put on athoroughly dominant performance.
We were well on top from early on and led 2-0 after 10 minutes, Jay Cooper and Lewis Holdham setting the tone with strong finishes.
Lewis bagged his second on the half hour mark and but for the offside flag we could have been further ahead in a first half, where the only disappointing aspect was captain Bobby Gillick being forced off with injury.
Jay got his second and our fourth almost immediately after the restart and shortly afterwards Hartley Barratt got in on the action as Alsager struggled to keep up with the pace and strength of our side.
The fifth goal from Hartley prompted Dean to ring thechanges and one of those changes Lucas Heath notched our sixth.
Lewis almost had a hat-trick five minutes from time but the Alsager keeper denied him brilliantly with a tip onto the bar only for the rebound to fall to Jeff Quayson to make it 7-0.
Man-of-the-match Lewis wasn’t to be denied for long thoughas in the final minute he latched on to an inch-perfect through ball from Joel Barnett to round off the scoring and complete a thoroughly impressive evening.
Well done Dean and all the team for creating a little bit of history tonight.