UNBEATEN this season, Collegians lifted the first of a possible three trophies when they beat Dalton Dynamoes 2-1 in the Under 13 Minor FA final.
But they needed to be at their very best to see off the challenge of a Dalton side who, for much of a highly entertaining final, were the better side.
Collegians started strongly but they received a warning after just five minutes, when only a fine save from Tom Doyle denied Kaddesh Goddard from opening the scoring for Dalton.
At the other end Niall Finneran beat off two strong tackles but then watched as his shot rolled just wide of the left upright and, within a minute, Aidan Fisher was denied the first of many chances when keeper Bobby Draper pulled off a superb save at the feet of the Collegians striker.
By half time, Dalton clearly held the initiative and might have held the lead but the bar and a couple of goalline clearances kept the score at 0-0.
Any hopes that Collegians might stamp their authority on the game in the second half were soon dispelled as Joe Jaddach, Alex Graydon and Reece Lloyd again took control and, only another terrific Tom Doyle save prevented Lloyd from opening the scoring from a Goddard cross.
Up until now the game had been played at breakneck speed and, with both sides showing signs that fatigue was beginning to set in, goalscoring chances increased.
A Finneran shot looked destined for the top corner of the Dalton net but the swerve on the ball took it just wide and another Fisher chance flew just over the bar as Collegians enjoyed their best spell of the game.
But it was the Dynamoes who finally broke the deadlock with a goal worthy of any final when Reece Lloyd’s strong run and cross from the right wing was met by Tom Short, whose header back across goal nestled in the top corner.
Very few of the large crowd would have denied Dalton their lead but the game was all square again two minutes later when Fisher met a far-post corner to head home the equaliser.
With neither side able to improve on their goals tally, the supporters were treated to another 20 minutes of nail-biting extra-time, but a penalty shoot-out looked as if it might be the only way to separate the two sides until five minutes from the end when a clumsy challenge sent a Collegians player tumbling in the penalty area.
Referee, Marinos Loucas, had little choice but to point to the spot and Fisher happily planted the ball beyond Draper’s reach for what proved to be the winner.
Dalton will rightly feel they could have won the game but their season is not finished yet as the RCD League Second Division side are in a strong position to join Collegians in Division One next season.
