In a gripping cup final at Wildey Astroturf on 7th December 2024, Pro Shottas U13 edged past Kickstart Rush with a nail-biting 4-3 victory. The match kicked off at 9:00 am and delivered a rollercoaster of emotions for players and supporters alike, with both teams showcasing their attacking prowess.
Pro Shottas U13 adopted a 4-3-1-2 formation, which allowed them to maintain a solid defensive line while providing ample support for their forwards. Christopher Palmer stood resolute in goal, shielded by a back four comprising Nikkeil Freeman on the right, Zayne Galt and Ben Hutton in central defence, and Elijah Jacob on the left. The midfield trio featured C'jae Nichols on the right, Samuel Campion centrally, and Raiden Lee on the left, with Kaleb Catwell positioned just behind the two forwards, Emanuel Espinosa Alvarez and Kevio Bellamy, who were tasked with leading the line and converting chances into goals.
The substitutes for Pro Shottas U13 included Aiden Knight, Kegun Henry, Mathias Theinhardt, and Jacob Mayers, providing tactical options for the manager as the match progressed.
The match began with an explosive start as Elijah Jacob opened the scoring for Pro Shottas U13 just one minute in, unleashing a stunning long-range strike with his right foot that left the Kickstart Rush goalkeeper with no chance. However, the early lead was short-lived as Kickstart Rush responded swiftly, equalising in the fourth minute. They continued to build momentum, and by the 20th minute, they had taken the lead with another goal, putting Pro Shottas U13 on the back foot.
Despite trailing, Pro Shottas U13 remained resolute and found their rhythm. In the 29th minute, Kaleb Catwell provided a short pass to Kevio Bellamy, who made no mistake from inside the box, restoring parity with a well-placed right-footed shot. The first half concluded with the score level at 2-2, setting the stage for an exhilarating second half.
After the break, Pro Shottas U13 came out with renewed determination. Just four minutes into the second half, Kaleb Catwell converted a penalty, putting his side ahead 3-2. The match continued to ebb and flow, and in the 34th minute, Kevio Bellamy struck again, scoring from a long pass provided by Elijah Jacob, extending the lead to 4-2.
Kickstart Rush refused to back down, and they pulled one back in the 49th minute, narrowing the deficit to 4-3. The tension heightened as Samuel Campion received a yellow card for a bad tackle in the 53rd minute, followed closely by Kevio Bellamy, who also found himself cautioned in the 59th minute for a similar offence.
As the match drew to a close, Pro Shottas U13 made tactical substitutions, bringing on Aiden Knight for Raiden Lee in the 39th minute, followed by Kegun Henry replacing Nikkeil Freeman and Mathias Theinhardt coming on for Emanuel Espinosa Alvarez shortly after the restart. Jacob Mayers also entered the fray, taking over from Samuel Campion in the 55th minute.
Despite the late pressure from Kickstart Rush, Pro Shottas U13 held firm to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory, advancing in the cup competition. The standout performances from Kevio Bellamy, Elijah Jacob, and Kaleb Catwell were instrumental in this hard-fought win, showcasing their skills and determination on the pitch.
