Cookham Dean u16s claim cup double with victory over Ruislip

Cookham Dean’s players lift the league cup

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Cookham Dean's u16s team have lifted silverware for the second time this season after beating Ruislip in the final of the Wycombe & South Bucks League Cup final on Sunday.

Dean's talented young team proved too strong for their opponents at Flackwell Heath's Wilks Park ground, running out 5-2 winners.

Having claimed a Berks & Bucks County Cup and League Cup double, the team are closing in on a historic treble, should they win their games in hand to claim the league title.

Both teams had their full squads available for Sunday's match, and Cookham manager Dominic Gavin was anticipating an evenly contested final. That proved to be the case for the opening hour or so as the two sides traded blows, but Dean gained the upper hand in the closing stages to run out comfortable winners.

They took the lead in the fifth minute, Harvey Brooks catching out Ruislip's high defensive line to take the ball around the keeper and slot home. Hamish Walker then made it 2-0 in the 17th minute when he tapped home Brooks' cross to the far post.

Ruislip responded well to make it 2-1 in the 25th minute before substitute Kayden Richardson restored Cookham's two-goal cushion with a goal on the half-hour mark. Once again Ruislip responded well when a dangerous free-kick into the Cookham six-yard box was tapped home to make it 3-2 in the 42nd minute.

Cookham looked more assured and in control during the second half and the scoreline eventually reflected that. Playing lovely passing football, they began to make inroads down the Ruislip flanks and soon had some joy when Sean Bull's cross was deflected into the net for an own goal on the hour mark. Cookham continued to pass and move the ball around Ruislip's tiring players and Lennon Moore's low strike made the final score 5-2.

“The game was tense and very competitive,” said Cookham's manager Dominic Gavin. “Both teams should be congratulated for their commitment and willingness to work hard which made for a good match for the crowd who were loud and encouraging to both teams. We have a chance to make it a treble but there are 10 matches to go for us. if we win the games in hand then we can top the league, but all the matches will be difficult as the league is very competitive with no easy games.”