Abbey Boys Fly into First Final
Abbey boys produced a vintage performance to make it the fourth Byron Coomer Cup final in four years; as they picked up the baton from last year’s Abbey side and 2018/2019 Byron Coomer Cup winners.
However, this was to be a tough test against a strong Westcliff School side.
Both sides fought for possession in the early minutes of the game without either side really threatening to score.
However, it was in the 16th minute that the game had its first real moment, when Mensor Draij went on a mazy run beating 3 players before being chopped down by the last West Cliff defender inside the 18 yard box.
The referee had no choice but to point to the penalty spot!
Year 12 top goalscorer Calum Newson stepped up, before calmly smashing the ball past the despairing dive of the Westcliff goalkeeper to put Abbey in the lead.
Westcliff then saw their first chance of the game well saved by abbey goalkeeper James Morgan.
In the 41st minute Mensor Draij then switched from provider to scorer, as he drove to the edge of the Westcliff box to play a delightful one two with striker Newson before volleying past the West Cliff goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
It was in the 76 minute that abbey knew they were heading for their 4th consecutive Coomer Cup final when Billy Gipp swung in a near post corner, a well timed run from Rashaad Ogun resulted in the young striker sweeping the ball home to make the tie 3-0. Abbey will meet St Thomas More in the Byron Coomer Cup final. Date to be confirmed.
Head of Football Coach Emberson commented:
“Another final for these lads demonstrates that hard work pays off! They are developing their game knowledge and technical ability daily and are a credit to the school and the football academy programme”
