County Cup semi-final woe for Omonia Youth FC

February 14, 2019


Football is often a game of margins and last weekend community grassroots club Omonia Youth FC, sponsored by PIA Financial Group and Philip Ross Solicitors, saw one of its teams fall at the semi-final hurdle of the County Cup.

Panos Papa-Michael, Elias Constanti and Andy Michael’s Under 15 Gold could not make it past the last four in their quest to add a sixth star to the club badge.

Even though they lost 4-0, the score did not reflect the game. The match was always going to a tough one against a team that have already beaten them twice this season and are currently top of the WFL Red Division.

However, the score line suggests a very one-sided game which it definitely was not. The boys in green walked off extremely disappointed with the result as it could so easily have been very different and all the coaches were complementary as the Under 15 Gold had played and battled so well that they made them proud.

The first half was all the Under 15 Gold; nearly every single challenge was won by a player in green and the football was excellent whilst totally dominating play. They hit the bar from a free-kick, the post from a header and had numerous shots on goal. With the Under 15 Gold putting the Enfield defenders under constant pressure, and the midfield nullifying some of their opponents more skilful players, the one area where they are very strong was the strength and pace that they possess up front. With this, just before half-time a long hopeful ball was not dealt with and one of the opponents forwards ran through and scored.

The Under 15 Gold started the second half well and about 10 minutes in should have had a penalty. Even the ref was about to blow but the linesman gave a goal-kick saying no foul. About a minute later another long ball got caught in the strong wind behind the defenders and the opponents forward again ran through and scored. The Under 15 Gold continued to push and almost pulled a goal back but it was cleared off the line. From that point the game became very open and as the team in green gambled they left themselves short at the back and their opponents scored two late goals.

After the game both the referee and the opposition manager said that on balance of play the Under 15 Gold could have won. These words did not make the boys feel any better but hopefully once they have had a chance to think about the game they will realise that they did perform well and can mix it with the stronger teams. They did the Club proud with both their football and respective attitude towards all and the club wishes their opponents the very best in the final. Man of the Match was given to every player involved.

Nick Georgiou and Dino’s Under 16 White’s lost 6-0 away on a very bad pitch but also thanks to a poor team performance with silly mistakes costing them goals. Man of the Match was Alex Pike

In the Spring Plate group stage, Michael Pieri’s Under 14 White dominated the first half hour and deservedly should have gone ahead but a retaken penalty was missed. Playing a team a division above, every mistake was punished and the opposition went into the half time break 2-0 up. Another self-inflicted error gifted the opposition another goal. The Under 14 White got it back to 3-2 and while pushing for the equaliser another gift wrapped error presented the opposition an easy fourth goal to win the game 4-2.  Mohammed and Alfonso got the goals with Michael Nicola named Man of the Match.

In the League a stunning fightback from Mario Demetriou, Johnny Othona and Elvis Leon’s Under 12 Green which showed resilience and character. Parents and coaches were rightly proud of boys’ performance as they came back from 3-1 down with only 8 players to win 5-4. Goals from Zack (2), Andreas (2) and Luca with the whole team awarded Man of the Match.

In their league game, Nick Lingis and Mario Christoforou’s Under 14 Green won comfortably 7-2. League. Joe K (3), Nathan L (2), Nick P and Amaan S got the goals with Amaan named Man of the Match.

In the Challenge Cup quarter final, the performance of the day went to Chris and Jimmy Mousico’s Under 14 Gold who brushed aside their opponents 8-0 to take their place in the last four. Man of the Match Rayen Haboubi scored three with Louis Georgiou, Mike Pavlou, Aaron Lewis, Kayden Trey Virgo and Jay Tyler Constantinou also on the scoresheet.

In the under 18 Spring Plate Chris Gregoriou’s Under 18 White made a fast start and a penalty by Nicholas Gregoriou gave them an early 1-0 lead. However a defensive error and the game was 1-1 before they could get a second after missing a couple chances. Not too long after the equaliser a quick double strike by Raheem Watt made the half time score 3-1. Into the second half then Under 18 White became a little sloppy allowing the opposition to grab another goal, but an excellent through ball from substitute Antonio Gellagotellis sent Raheem through to slot past the goalkeeper to seal his hat trick making it 4-2 going into the last ten minutes. Another bit of sloppy defending made it a nervy last 5 minutes but the boys held on to take us on a 6 game unbeaten run. Man of the Match was awarded to Andre Grant who battled through illness to put in a solid performance.

Should you feel enthused and want to know more about Omonia Youth FC, you can contact the club at omoniayouthfootballclub@hotmail.com, via the contact page on the club’s new website www.omoniayouthfc.com as well as following the club on twitter @OmoniaYouthFC and Instagram @omoniayouthfc1994.

Brilliant performance from the Under 12 Green