Ely Crusaders Triumph

ELY Crusaders came through gale force winds and two penalty shoot-outs to triumph in the U-9 category of the six-a-side tournament at Littleport. After successive wins against hosts Littleport (3-0) and Cherry Hinton B (5-0), Crusaders threw away a two-go

ELY Crusaders came through gale force winds and two penalty shoot-outs to triumph in the U-9 category of the six-a-side tournament at Littleport.

After successive wins against hosts Littleport (3-0) and Cherry Hinton B (5-0), Crusaders threw away a two-goal interval lead as they lost their third game to Witchford.

That left little room for error, but a quality 2-0 win over Cambridge Diamonds and a 1-1 draw against unbeaten Stretham put them through to the semi-finals.

Group B winners and pre-tournament favourites Cherry Hinton Lions A were their opponents, and the tie finished 1-1 after extra-time.

Ely then missed their first two penalties in the shoot-out, but held their nerve to progress 3-2 at the finish.

In the final against Waterbeach, Ely were unlucky not to win outright in normal and extra-time, the match again finishing 1-1.

The sides were level at 4-4 in the shoot-out after five penalties a-piece, so it all came down to the two goalkeepers.

Ely stopper Evan Jeckells deflected his counterpart's effort to safety, but emphatically drilled home his own attempt to secure the trophy.

Ely: A Brown, S Felton, E Frodsham, L Hook, E Jeckells, G Leech, J Marston,

S Scarborough.