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| London APSA Boys After Winning the East London Charity Cup After Beating NILC 6-2 in The Final At Clapton FC's Old Spotted Dog Ground. |
16/08/15
It was the same old story for the London APSA Youth Team, another game, another final and another win, But on this occasion the young boys managed to raise over £200 for the Newham Learning Centre in Manor Park.
A crowd of over 70 spectators most of whom were players families, friends and local people watched a mouth watering finale as both teams battled it out to be crowned champions.
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| Both teams come out onto the pitch cheered on by the fans |
The competition itself started in 2012 were Aspire Youth beat Forest Gate United 2-1 to lift the trophy, On the other hand, APSA have won the competition 2 years in a row in 2013 and 2014 with convincing wins over Loxford Youth and ELFA respectively, were looking to win the competition 3 years in a row. The boys who came runners up in the newly formed Hackney League had already won 12 tournaments in 2014/15 season, most notably the LIC FC Tournament at The Valley, Home of Chalrton Athletic FC.
However on this occasion it was Clapton FC's Old Spotted Dog Ground which was the venue for the final this year. Both teams were cheered on by fans as they walked out the tunnel onto the pitch.
The game kicked off and already it was a tough game. Both teams battled for the ball hardly but it was APSA who maintained most of the possession with their quick passing and ball control.
APSA knew it wouldn't be easy as within the first 10 minutes of the game NILC were closing down their passing quick and stopped anything from getting into the path of striker London APSA's Faez Kashem. Within minutes the deadlock was broken as captain Tanbir Ahmed gave a neat and tidy ball into winger Akram Miah who finished off his chance with the help of a deflection from the NILC keeper, but it was 1-0 to London APSA.
NILC had to react fast but gave away too many free kicks and APSA made the most of that as Midfeilder Taher Mahmood took a free kick from the half way line which just about got onto Kamran Uddin to make it 2-0 to London APSA.
It wasn't long till they got their third, Some good football was played from the back and quick combination plays were created by Tanbir Ahmed, Taher Mahmood and Kamran Uddin who crossed the ball into Akram Miah for a tap in and make it 3-0. But NILC pulled a goal back just before half time when there was some sloppy and careless defending which led to NILC Winger Abdullah pulling one back.
Second half started and both teams were pushing for goals but it was NILC who came on top within minutes of the first half as Abdullah yet again found the back of the net while APSA defenders were switched off.
Now the game was really on, as fans were screaming and supporting both teams, Akram Miah got the better of the NILC defence to score APSA's fourth and get his hat trick. He wasn't finished though minutes later NILC gave up hope and Akram Miah finished off Kamran Uddin's cross to make it 5-2.
It was Akram who had the last laugh as he wrapped up the game after some good pressure by Samirul Muhit who gave the ball into him within 10 yards Akram finished off his fifth goal in the game.
As the final whistle blew, the teams were notified they raised over £200 for the Newham Learning Centre.
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London APSA Boys Celebrate After The Final Whisle
Manager Hafiz Ahmed said after the game 'I'm really proud of the boys the way they kept the ball and more importantly kept their discipline throughout the game, I was really pleased that all the parents came down to support the event, it was a brilliant atmosphere, Myself and the boys have worked really hard in training this week to make this happen and I couldn't have asked for more, Unlucky to NILC although we run away with the game in the second half I thought NILC gave their atmost best and put all the effort in'
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