The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON
Second Round Qualifying
Chalk Lane, Cockfosters FC
Thursday 9 October 2008
Thamesmead Town sealed their place in the Third Round Qualifying on Thursday night, following a thrilling 5-3 win over Cockfosters.
The game had everything: eight goals, a hat-trick, extra time and a sending off and the winners are now only one win away from perhaps facing a Football League club.
Inspired by a hat-trick from frontman Raphael Momodu, Thamesmead were always on the front foot and never found themselves behind in the game after taking an early lead through Momodu, who volleyed home from close range after an effort from his brother Gabriel had bounced back off the bar.
The home side were soon back in it though, when Terry Mireka finished well with a left-footed shot from the edge of the area. It sent the teams in all- square at the half-time break, although Thamesmead had seen two chances go begging after hitting the woodwork.
Town were back in front shortly after the hour mark though, when Chris Borchescu skilfully beat two players in the area before sliding a low shot into the bottom corner.
Cockfosters rallied and ten minutes later Marcel Okoro finished well from the right after Town had failed to clear a ball into the box.
With the 90th minute approaching, Town were then dealt a blow when they had a man sent off following a challenge in midfield. The game went into extra time with Gabriel Momodu following his brother’s example to score with a close-range header in the 97th minute.
The hosts weren’t to be held back for long though and they pulled level almost straight from the restart when Sam Shields struck home a low right- footer.
It then became the Raphael Momodu show, as he slotted home his second of the night after reacting quickest in the box to an earlier save from the goalkeeper in the 106th minute.
Four minutes later and he completed a memorable hat-trick by smashing home an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area to send the south-east Londoners through.
Thamesmead manager Keith McMahon certainly felt his side warranted their win after a hard-working and spirited display.
“Overall, I think we deserved it with the work we did with ten men,” he said.
“They’re all young and it’s only the second game they’ve played, so they’re a credit to the club.
“The FA Youth Cup is a massive experience for them and we’re in the final qualifying round now and then you can maybe get a professional club, so that would be the lads’ dream to get a good tie just for the experience.
“The lads have the biggest grins on their faces now because they probably never thought they’d play at this level, so they’re over the moon.”