The under 16s played their first game in three weeks and continued their winning run with a hard fought victory in the cup against a hard working Horsham Sparrows side.
After a minute’s silence to mark Remembrance Day, Cranleigh started nervously allowing their opponents some early chances which fortunately came to nothing. But on 22 minutes midfielder Ben Cole fired home from outside of the area to put Cranleigh one up. And five minutes before half time, new signing Arthur Powell was pulled back as he beat his man in the area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Ben Cole scored with a cool strike to the bottom corner to allow Cranleigh a two goal lead at the break.
Sparrows came back into the match and had the majority of play in the opening stages of the second half. And whilst Cranleigh continues to attack they took until 70 minutes to add to their tally, when Ben Cole beat several defenders before pulling the ball back for Maxim Sheik to score with a cool finish in front of the goal, ending a very nervous period of the game.
The Man of the Match award is shared jointly by Ben Cole for his goals, assist and for some very creative play in midfield and Max Elstone who once again provided real dependable determination and steel in defence. So Cranleigh deservedly progress to the semi finals of the cup. That fixture will be in the new year. The next couple of weeks present the team with big challenges in the league, challenges that the boys will relish!
Men of the Match : Ben & Max
