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The following pictures are from a wonderful photo spread in the Reading Evening Post on Wednesday the 2nd July 2003. This was following our triumph on the previous Sunday, becoming Ashridge U9 Champions.
I remember a hot day, I think one of the hottest of the year. Spectators were exhausted, how the boys played footie all day was beyond me.
Follwing success in the group stages, we played a quater and a semi final. At Ashridge, in the event of a draw at full time there are no penalties. 5 minutes extra time with 2 players removed from the pitch, one of whom must be the keeper! Ben Ady performed heroics stood in The Hammer's goal, stopping shots with head, chest, knees, in fact every part of the body except his hands. Who could also forget, Jake Harrison scoring from almost the half way line. With no keeper the two lads on the line had no chance stopping Jake's shot.
The final was against Lower Earley Predators. Both teams were showing the results of running around in blistering heat all day. Niall McCaffrey was rested at the start of the final. Niall was brought on as a fresh pair of legs and Niall is fast at the best of times. Niall picked up the ball somewhere near the halfway line and ran at goal. Simply no one could catch him and he slotted the ball into the back of the net, to win the Hawk's first ever silverware.
Celebrations were held at the Jolly Farmer afterwards, and that's all I remember!
