Rastrick Juniors FC
Eric Kershaw Memorial Trophy Final – U13s
6th May 2018
The U13s Rastrick Rangers team lifted the Eric Kershaw Memorial Trophy with a 2-0 victory over Lepton White in a game played in a tremendous spirit.
In sweltering heat, a goal in each half saw Rastrick win their third trophy in two seasons.
Against a very well organised Lepton side, Rastrick opened brightly and took the lead on 15 minutes. From a free kick 35 yards out on the left, midfielder Matty Shore played a high ball towards the far post and it evaded everyone to reach the back of the net.
In a keenly contested half of few chances, Rastrick had the opportunity to double their lead shortly before half time when the ball fell to Jonah Brearly from a right wing cross, but his shot was brilliantly blocked by the Lepton defence when he seemed certain to score.
The second half was again keenly contested, with both defences well organised and looking secure. However, Rastrick always looked threatening down the right through Ben Armstrong and, following a spell of Rastrick pressure, the second goal finally came 18 minutes from time when striker Ellis Phelan brilliantly hooked the ball into the top left hand corner of the goal from just inside the box.
Lepton continued to press as the game entered its final stages, but the Rastrick defence – superbly martialled by Benjamin Smith – stood firm. In the closing moments, Lepton had a chance to pull a goal back, but a fierce shot was brilliantly headed off the line by Rastrick’s man of the match, Ellis Hoggard.
Captain Matty Shore was presented with the winning trophy by Jenny Kershaw, widow of the late Eric Kershaw, after whom the competition is named following Eric’s sudden death last year. It was a very moving Trophy presentation on a day in which sportsmanship was the real winner.
Stuart Shore
(U13s Manager)
