Olabode goal fires cup holders into final

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009
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This is Bristol

Bristol Under-18 Combination: The Bristol Under-18 Football Combination representative team reached the Dunford Cup final with a 1-0 victory over the Weston-super-Mare and District League.

AJ Olabode scored the only goal in the 35th minute with a magnificent finish.

Weston had the better of the early stages, with Mason Gardener prominent in midfield. But Bristol gradually eased their way into the game and created the first real chance as Lee Chapman cut in from the left and unleashed a great drive which looked destined for the top corner. Weston keeper Matt Hill could only stand and watch as the ball cannoned off the crossbar to safety.

Bristol were now playing the better football with their two wide men, Rayon McLean and Obafemi Balogun, causing problems on the flanks with their skill and pace.

The deadlock was broken in the 35th minute when Kyle Buffery fed the ball through the Weston defence and the electric pace of Olabode took him clear to finish superbly, giving Hill no chance.

Weston came out for the second half in determined mood but their attacks were repelled by the solid defensive work of the Bristol back four led by captain Tom Monks and the sure hands of keeper Sam Curry.

Bristol made a change on the hour, bringing on Geraint Williams, hat-trick hero of the previous game, for the ever-dependable Ian Wilson and the change seemed to add a little more steel to their play.

To their credit, Weston would not buckle and and probably should have forced an equaliser, but poor finishing let them down. As they sought to get level, Weston pushed first three and then four up in attack but the Bristol defence stood firm, while at the other end Olabode went close to doubling the lead on more than one occasion.

Bristol's opponents in the final will be the Perry Street League, whom they defeated last year to lift the trophy.

In league action, Oldland Abbotonians drew 1-1 with Roman Glass St George in Bristol Division I.

Roman Glass took the lead with a well-worked goal just after half-time but Joe Chandler grabbed a deserved equaliser for Oldland 15 minutes from the end.

In Bristol Division A, Ashton Boys hammered Cheddar Albion 6-2.

In a fairly even first 45 minutes, a hopeful ball over the top wasn't dealt with by Albion centre half Rob Ireland, allowing Jack Soper the chance to put the visitors in front.

Albion started confidently in the second half, believing the wind would give them the edge. But that thought was was soon dispelled when an Ashton breakaway led to a stunning shot from 25 yards that went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Albion fought back quickly and reduced the deficit with an own goal during a goalmouth scramble. But, before they could build on their position, Cheddar made it 3-1 when goalkeeper Alex Smith mistimed a punch as he tried to deal with a free-kick and the ball drifted into the net.

The home side's heads began to drop and they conceded two more goals before Cam Crook pulled one back after a great free-kick from Tom Knight had come back off the keeper.

With time running out, Ashton's Jack Soper still had time to complete his hat-trick. Ashton's other scorers were Tony Scrase (2) and Kieron O'Carroll.

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