28 April 2007
VIDEO: West Riding v Suffolk, FA County Youth Cup Final

West Riding overcame Suffolk on penalties to lift The FA County Youth Cup at Bradford City FC.


West Riding

1-1

Suffolk

Oxey 50

Chaplin 75

West Riding won 4-3 on penalties

The FA County Youth Cup
The Final
3pm, Saturday 28 April 2007
Bradford City FC

John Riordan hailed his West Riding side after their dramatic penalty win over Suffolk in The FA County Youth Cup Final at Bradford’s Intersonic Stadium.

Scott Chaplin cancelled out West Riding’s opener from Matthew Oxer to send the thrilling cup tie into extra-time, and despite chances at either end the game went into penalties.

Riordan’s team held their nerve to run out 4-3 winners in the shoot-out and lift the trophy, and the West Riding coach was quick to praise plucky Suffolk for their part in an excellent Cup Final.

Riordan said: "We are delighted with the win because Suffolk are probably the best side we have played all season.

"The lads were magnificent today. Both sides had some great chances and it was a great advert for youth football because it was a great game - it was the beautiful game played in a beautiful way."

West Riding drew first blood when Oxer was brought down by goalkeeper Carl Goody and the tall striker duly stepped up to convert the spot kick himself five minutes into the second half.

Suffolk, who won the competition two years ago, were back on level terms on the hour in spectacular fashion.

Former Ipswich winger Richard Chaplin curled the ball into the top corner from out side the area to send the game into extra-time and ultimately penalties.

Suffolk skipper Sam Nunn was the unfortunate player to miss the vital spot kick as West Riding ran out 4-3 winners.

And despite the defeat Suffolk coach Andrew Gould remained up beat.

He said: "I am very proud of the lads because it was a great achievement for us to get to this Final.

"We were unlucky not to win the game normal time and the lads are very down, but they conducted themselves brilliantly in defeat.

"There were a lot of great individual performances such as Tom Jeal and the captain Sam Nunn. They were outstanding.

"Ryan Foster is one of the most gifted players at this level and he had another great game.

"There are always set backs in football as well as in life, but it is all about how you bounce back. We have learned a lot from this."