A tightly fought final was settled by a two-minute second-half brace by Lilybell Henson, as AFC Whyteleafe beat Met Police Youth at Meadowbank. 

A high-tempo first five minutes saw both sides look for an early goal. AFC Whyteleafe started the game brightly and were close to going ahead within the first minute as Lilybell Henson was put through on goal by Seth Mitchell, but the danger was well cleared behind for a corner. 

Henson continued to be a handful for the Met Police backline. A brilliantly placed ball by Ralph Lemasuriey found her in the box and her slight touch looked destined to put Whyteleafe ahead in the tie, but a brilliant block on the goal line by Archie Meeson would keep the scores level. 

With both teams looking a threat in attack, Met Police’s Milo Wye swung in a corner, but no Met Police player could get on the end of it, and the ball was cleared. A quick break then saw Whyteleafe with a chance of their own from a corner, Ralf Lemasurier’s ball found Arafat in the box but his effort on the turn sailed over the bar.

Metropolitan Police thought they had taken the lead, after good feet by Leo Messi on the left was worked well around the Whyteleafe box, before finding Felix Osborne on the back post to tap home. However to Whyteleafe’s relief, the assistant’s flag was up, and scores remained level. 

Met police, buoyed by their disallowed goal, now looked the more likely to score, as Mylo Wilson intercepted a pass in the middle of the park, but his audacious shot whistled wide of the lefthand post. 

However, in the 20th minute it was Whyteleafe who would take the lead through Arafat, after Henson held up the ball before playing it off to Reddy, who slipped the ball left to find Arafat who cooly placed the ball past De Bergolis in the Met Police goal. 

Henson looked to mark her impressive first-half display with a goal just before half-time, as she found herself in space just outside the area, but her effort could only find the side netting.

Despite Whyteleafe coming out quickly again in the second half, Met Police continued to look for the equaliser. Saunders had to be alert in the Whyteleafe goal to stop Messi from getting on the end of a long ball, but his clearance fell to Milo Wye who was cynically brought down on the right of the box. Messi took the resulting free-kick but his cross was well-claimed by Saunders.

With Met Police now piling on the pressure, William Watts made a darting run into the attacking half, but his ambitious shot went agonisingly over the bar. 

Whyteleafe thought they had doubled their advantage on the 36th minute, as a clash between De Bergolis and Henson resulted in the striker being able to stroke home into an empty net, but the referee’s whistle had already gone for a foul on the Met Police keeper. Arafat then looked to claim his second of the game in the 44th minute, after Met Police could only half clear their lines, but his flicked header was well held by De Bergolis.

As the game entered the final quarter the game was finely poised, but despite Met Police’s best efforts, AFC Whyteleafe remained resolute in defence.

In the 52nd minute, Henson calmed any Whyteleafe nerves extending their advantage as Mitchell found her on the edge of the area, and her powerful effort found the bottom right-hand corner.

Two minutes later Henson got her second, as a brilliant ball by Reddy found Mitchell on the left whose cross could only be parried by De Bergolis to Henson, who tapped home to put AFC Whyteleafe one step closer to the U12 Cup title.

As Whyteleafe looked to see the game out, and secure the clean sheet, Met Police continued to look for a consolation, but Clarke’s flicked shot was well held by Saunders.

In the last minute of 4 additional, Henson almost claimed the match ball, but her effort was pushed away by De Bergolis and O’Neil was unable to connect with the rebound with the game finishing 3-0 to AFC Whyteleafe.

Goals: (AFC Whyteleafe) Arafat (20) Henson (52, 54)

POTM: Chase Dudley (AFC Whyteleafe)

Attendance: 135

Match Officials:  

Referee: Thomas Wayland 
Assistant: Oliver Berryman
Assistant: Harvey Adam
Fourth Official: Harrison North

Met Police Youth: Theo De Bergolis, Oisin Fox, Cameron Edwards, Archie Meeson, Felix Osborne, Milo Wye, Max Faulkner, William Watts, Raphael Clarke, Mylo Wilson, Leo Messi

AFC Whyteleafe: Farren Saunders, Aayush Reddy, Chase Dudley, Lilybell Henson, Yuannd Arafat, Ralph Lemasurier, Joshua Raymond, Seth Mitchell, Brody Monahan

Images of the game can be viewed and purchased by following the link below.

Match Gallery