Sutton United proved too powerful for a spirited Beecholme Belles side as they won the Thorpe Park U13 Girls Cup Final at Meadowbank. 

It was a messy first few minutes of the tie, as both sides battled to keep possession. In the opening moments, Sutton’s Summer Reid looked lively as she started to ask questions of Belles defence down the right. Still, Beecholme Belles captain, Freya Davis remained alert to the danger. 

Sutton looked to impose control of the game, as Evie Ruthen skipped past the Beecholme defence and into the box, but her cutback was cleared to safety. Although it would be Beecholme who would have the first big chance of the game, as Charlie Salisbury found herself one-on-one with the keeper, but her shot was well held by Teya Dimitrova in the Sutton goal.

The front three of Sutton continued to try and impose themselves on the game, with a goal kick by Dimitrova finding Naira Malik but her attack was well thwarted by the Beecholme Belles, keeping the scores level. 

In an end-to-end start, Beecholme Belles Iyla O’Shea tried her luck from halfway inside the Sutton half, but her effort was well held by the Sutton keeper.

Sutton’s Ashai Ford would impress throughout the game, and it would take a last-ditch challenge from Zoe Pickford to stop her dangerous run after Ford skipped past the Belles defence.

Despite Sutton’s threat, Beecholme Belles started to put on the pressure, with four consecutive corners. Pickford’s cross came closest as it flashed across the face of goal before being put behind. Whilst, their fourth corner was again put into a dangerous area but no Belles player could connect, and the ball was eventually cleared to safety.

As the half progressed both sides were continuing to find composure on the ball, but it was Sutton United who took the lead in the 27th minute through an excellent solo goal by Ford. A bouncing ball was picked up by Ford, as she turned the Beecholme defence and using her blistering speed ran through the Belle’s half before confidently stroking the ball under Farache to put her side ahead in the tie.

Through Ford, Sutton almost doubled their advantage just before the halftime whistle, as she quickly spread the ball out right to Reid, whose cutback looking destined for Haynes was well claimed by Farache.

However, minutes later a similar combination would give Sutton a two-goal cushion. As Ford’s speed again caused problems for Beecholme Belles, as she powered into the box before finding Haynes at the back post to tap home.

Ford capped off an incredible couple of minutes, as on the stroke of half time, she powered down the left before cutting into the box and smashing past Farache to give them a healthy lead at the interval.

In the second half, Beecholme looked for a way back into the game, first, the ball fell to Charlotte Hall in the middle of the Sutton box, but her shot rose over the bar. A missed timed claim by Dimitrova in the Sutton goal fell to Williams, but the ball was quickly smothered and unfortunately for Beecholme, the follow-up by Amera Wellard was well blocked.

In the 51st minute, Ashai Ford was again causing problems with her speed and agility, this time down the right, her cross-falling Aimee-Lou Daws whose initial shot was well parried by Belle’s keeper Farache. However, Daws picked up the loose ball and powered home to further extend Sutton’s control.

Beecholme instantly tried to get a goal of their own, as Charlotte Hall found herself in space in the Sutton box, but her shot was pushed away by the Sutton keeper.

Sutton would then further extend their dominance, as in the 63rd minute as Daws claimed her second of the afternoon, with a thundering shot from the left-hand side of the box.

Despite the scoreline, Beecholme continued to hunt for a goal, but it was Sutton’s who came closest again as Reid tried to get in on the act on the stroke of full-time. Her audacious shot from the righthand side of the box smashed against the crossbar and out to safety.

Ford again tried to turn provider as she danced into the box, but her cut back to Charlwood was well stopped. Sutton had further chances to extend their lead as the game descended into additional time, however, Farache made a couple of good saves in the Beecholme goal and the game finished 5-0 to Sutton United.

Goals: (Sutton United) Ford (27, 36) Haynes (34) Daws (51, 63)

POTM: Ashai Ford 

Attendance: 159

Match officials: 

Referee: Jessica Bole
Assistant: Libby Cantwell
Assistant: Max Clark
Fourth Official: Isobel Wholey

Beecholme Belles: Emily Farache, Charlotte Hall, Amy Kershaw, Charlie Salisbury, Amera Wellard, Iyla O'Shea, Zoe Pickford, Connie Walsh, Freya Davis, Erin Ahmed, Frankie O’Shea, Ella Williams

Sutton United: Teya Dimitrova, Aliyah Ajao, Emily Charlwood, Evie Ruthen, Ashai Ford, Naira Malik, Summer Reid, Kyla Harris, Amiee-Lou Daws, Rebecca Childs, Aleeza Saleem, Ellie Thomas, Bethany Haynes 

MATCH GALLERY