The importance of today’s game against the last season champions was on everyone’s mind, as a win would certainly mean that South Park could not be caught at the top of the Premier League. However, the goals were certainly not flowing as abundantly as in recent weeks but, one goal was all it took!

Park played some classy football against Caterham, shutting them down at every opportunity and not allowing them any movement when they had possession. Jamie Rice, Mobeen Hanid, Eliott Tames and Iris Gjoni were a force to be reckoned with in the centre-mid field and were demonstrating tight team-play and skilful, one touch footwork. Hanid took one of his trademark long throw-ins early on; Dan Chapman got his head underneath it and flicked the ball into the back of the net to score the one and only goal of the tie. Hanid beat a number of the Caterham defenders to shoot but despite beating the keeper he couldn’t beat the crossbar and almost rattled it off the upright. Chapman and Hollands continued to pile on the pressure but shots and corners were not capitalised upon, not helped by the fact that the Caterham Puma’s keeper was on first class form, making save after instinctive save.

Park got off to a strong attack after the re-start with Chapman, once again, having an effort saved. Caterham appeared to be back in the competition but our defensive line of James Russell, Shahil Pallana, Christian Price-Wright and Ben Wright were impenetrable. Gjoni hit a great ball through to Tames who hit it first time but this effort went just wide. Another ball from Hanid was crossed to Tames but the goalie’s leg appeared from nowhere to make a fantastic save. Further shots from Hollands, Chapman, Hanid and Tames were unable to fool the Caterham keeper who had skilfully managed to keep the Park score at just a single goal.

Special mentions go to Russell who was playing out of position at centre back; his tackling was faultless and his heading and passing was precise on every occasion. This earned him the Lad of the Match trophy for the second week in a row, a very unusual event! Price-Wright was his usual rock-steady self at the back as were Pallana and Wright.

This win consolidated a whole season of wonderful football for the South Park Under 16’s team and has guaranteed them the honour of collecting the spoils at the Epsom & Ewell presentation evening as Premier League CHAMPIONS. A proud day all round.

Team: Burkill, Wright, Price-Wright, Russell, Pallana, Hanid, Gjoni, Rice, Tames, Hollands, Chapman, Musto and Fahey.