Sphinx U16s win County Cup

On Saturday the Coventry Sphinx Under 16s squad travelled to the Birmingham FA headquarters and returned to Coventry with the County Cup in their grasp. Martin Ascroft, Dan Burke and Nigel Starkey led their squad onto the coach at Sphinx Drive and they were joined by an impressive following with parents, supporters and committee members all filling the coach. They were joined at the ground by more supporters with other junior managers in attendance including the managers of the Sphinx U13s, U14s and U18s.
A couple of players had to pass late fitness tests but the pitch was in perfect condition and the weather was ideal for the cup final against AFC Solihull. Sphinx got off to a disappointing start with Solihull taking the lead in the 5th minute of the game but by the 12th minute they were back level thanks to midfielder Zach Tellyn. Sphinx once again conceded within minutes of equalising with Solihull making it 2-1 with just 15 minutes on the clock. The goals kept on coming but it was Sphinx who would score them. Centre midfielder Sean Burke dispatched a drive into the bottom corner to equalise again for Sphinx and we were only 19 minutes into the match. Sphinx completed the comeback with an excellent header from centre back Noah Rose giving them the lead at the half time break.
Sphinx were back in the scoring groove when they extended their lead seven minutes after the break. Mo Billy headed in to make it 4-2 and it was no more than he deserved after proving to be a real handful all game. Minutes later Mo Billy was celebrating his second after a perfectly executed long range chip left the keeper with no chance. Substitutions followed as Sphinx looked to be cruising to victory with a 5-2 lead but Solihull hadn’t given up and they pulled one back with ten minutes to go. Minutes later Solihull scored again to make it 5-4 to Sphinx and Solihull were now back in the game. Sphinx made sure of victory with a late strike from David Obeng putting the game to bed.
A thrilling game worthy of a final and Solihull more than played their part. Sphinx went on to celebrate lifting the County Cup Trophy and Sphinx striker Mo Billy was named the Official Man of the Match. A tremendous end to the season for the Under 16s and a fitting way for Martin Ascroft to bring the curtain down on his time as a junior manager.

Updated 19:30 - 29 Aug 2019 by Sharon Taylor