Middleton Diamonds sparkle to win silverware at the double

Middleton Diamonds' under-14 Blue and Red teams are celebrating fantastic seasons.

The Blues won the Arun & District A division and the Challenge Cup, scoring 100 goals in all competitions and losing only one match, to eventual runners-up Arundel Colts.

The cup final was played in great spirit between Diamonds and Arundel Colts, with Diamonds running out deserved 2-0 winners.

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In the final match of the season against Arundel, Diamonds needed to draw or win to secure the title.

In the first half, Arundel put Diamonds under intense pressure with keeper Zak Boniface making wonderful saves and the Diamonds defence of Ben Roberts, Phil Reid, George Button and Danny Brazil holding strong.

After the break, Diamonds played entertaining football with Ross Edwards and Matt Hambleton running midfield and Ben Pett and Harry Hendrick dangerous on the wings. Ollie Steadman and Max Daniels went close.

Arundel were awarded a penalty with only five minutes left but another great save by Boniface and a superb clearance by Jordan Layton broke Arundel’s hearts as Diamonds held out for a 0-0 draw to clinch the title.

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This was despite them missing two players who had contributed so much to the season – Terry Cobb and Jack Congdon.

Chairman Paul Edwards said: “Well done to all the lads – it’s a magnificent double for the Diamonds.”

Middleton Diamonds Reds completed the most successful season in their seven-year history. They won the Arun & Chichester under-14s B division and the Invitation Cup.

The team played 18 league games, winning 14 and drawing four, with a goal difference of plus 46. The title was clinched with an impressive 3-1 win at runners-up AFC Worthing’s ground and they went on to win the league by nine points. 

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The Invitation Cup was won at the expense of A league team Worthing Dynamos in a sporting final at Arundel FC. It was 0-0 after extra time and Diamonds won 4-3 on penalties.

Manager Paul Selby said: “They are a great bunch of lads – there are no stars and a real pleasure to work with and deserve the success.”

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Whyke United 3 Chichester City Youth 6

Chichester City Youth 4 Regis 2000 2

Chichester concluded their season in style with consecutive and confident victories against local rivals Whyke United and Regis 2000 which secured second place and promotion.

Their league success this season was complemented by two cup runs: they reached the last 16 in the county cup and were semi-finalists in the Challenge Cup.

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Manager Andy Wild said: “Second place in the league is deserved at the end of a long and successful season. The boys who have represented this team are a credit to the club and the city. With the changes at the senior club and the respective successes of our other youth sides this season, there is much to look forward to at the club.”

The 30-match season has seen Chichester lose just five times. Wild credited everyone who’d played a part in a successful season.

Chichester will run two under-16 sides next season. Anyone interested should visit www.chichestercityyouthfc

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Bourne Sports Red 0 Pagham Youth 3

In bad weather and on a poor pitch, although Pagham came away 3-0 winners, the game was much closer than the scoreline suggested.

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If Bourne had put away their first-half penalty they would have led at the break.

Pagham asserted their authority in the second half and scored early through Jack Barnes following a pass by Conor Game.

Rory Wood added the second after an error by the Bourne keeper. Charlie Richardson wrapped it up towards the end with a left-foot shot in off the far post after an unselfish square pass from Barnes.

PAGHAM: Carter, Strachan, Gosbee, Taunton, Hurford, Poole, Game, Barnes, Wood, Vincent, W Richardson, C Richardson, Chalaye.

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At Arundel, Pagham’s third game in five days proved beyond them as they lost 4-1.

and a fresher Arundel took control early on.

Arundel scored first through their prolific centre-forward, who then made it two. And they went in at the break three up.

Pagham’s second-half performance was far better and they got a deserved goal as Rory Wood latched on to a loose ball. A quick counter-attack gave Arundel their fourth.

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Congratulations to Bognor Regis Town Colts for an outstanding season, winning A division by seven points and losing only one game in the process in their first competitive season.

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It was a fantastic effort by all the players, manager Jake Curran, coach Joe Jefkins, sponsors and parents.

They reached the under-nine Challenge Cup final against Worthing Town Youth Blue, but lost 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Arundel FC was the setting for an exciting match. Bognor started by playing attacking football which kept Worthing on the back foot.

But during a counter attack a Bognor defender headed into his own goal giving Worthing a 1-0 lead at half-time.

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After the break a Tom Betsworth strike was deflected by a Worthing defender into his own goal.

Normal and extra-time passed with no further goals thanks mainly to a heroic performance by the Worthing keeper.

The shootout was won by Worthing 4-2.

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