The match was closer than the result suggests with Southdown having to defend valiantly against a skilled and determined Maidenbower team. Southdown deployed lightening quick counter attacks to create chances on the break and finished those chances clinically in an outstanding display of teamwork and creative play.

The Under 8s, who are playing their first season of league football will be looking forward to bringing the trophy back to Southdown and receiving the congratulations from their clubmates at Southdown’s open day on 4 May.

Southdown’s Under 9s suffered a heart-breaking penalty shoot-out loss to Crawley Down Hammers in their final. After a nervous start Southdown settled into the game and created a number of good chances with shots fizzing just wide and over that on another day would have found the back of the net.

In the second half Southdown took the lead through an excellent finish and looked ready to put the game out of reach until a long-range screamer from the Hammers found the top of the net levelling the scores.

Southdown rebounded and pushed forward again for a winner, and in the last second an acrobatic bicycle kick from Southdown almost won the game, only for the Hammers keeper to reach out a long arm and tip the effort over the bar.

So on to the dreaded penalty shootout. After the first five penalties the scores were 3-3 until Southdown’s last penalty taker struck his effort against the post and the cup was Crawley’s.

While the final ended in defeat the Under 9s can be proud of a brilliant season that saw them undefeated in the league. The young players will be raring and ready to go again next season.