Coates’ nines secure County Cup in scintillating style Cleveland County Cup final 2017/2018 23

Coates’ nines secure County Cup in scintillating style

Cleveland County Cup final 2017/2018 - 23^rd March 2018

Macmillan snatched the Cleveland County Cup from the realms of Trinity hands in a captivating final which hung in the balance for its entirety. 
Head to head:

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  Both sides boast quality with quantity - with ten Middlesbrough district players on the pitch.
  

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  Only second meeting of managers Mr Coates and Mr Hawkins with these respective teams.
  

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  Two sides drawn to face each other in Town Cup semi-finals with Acklam Grange awaiting the winners of next months tie.
  

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  First county cup final for Macmillan’s year nines after one previous cup final - which they won - a 100% record.
  

Team news:

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  Trinity were able to field star man Loyd Shobo up front as they lined up in a 4-5-1 formation.
  

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  Winger Reece McMann was named amongst the substitutes, a lightning quick player able to run tirelessly.
  

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  Coates opted to match the Trinity formation, deploying Amir Kadir as an anchoring midfielder.
  

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  The academy’s head of PE’s big decision in the build up to Friday was whether a week of no training for Oliver Cann would enable him to make the team as he faced a race to be fit for Friday’s cup final. His omission from the starting eleven meant the ‘Boro’ man was named on the bench.
  

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  One other notable point was the Macmillan rear line, in particular Leo McDermott at left back with the partnership of George Luke and Charlie Clayton - they have played 18 times together as a back four breeding experience and understanding which could prove key on a big occasion. 
  

Match report:
Steve Monkhouse was the match official and he blew to get the game underway on a murky March afternoon at Northfields school. 
Almost instantly Macmillan regained possession from the Trinity kick, with the side in black guilty of the games first foul. This presented Macmillan with a set piece chance – all be it from forty yards out.
George Luke’s lofted free kick was floated deep into the area and loose marking allowed Frankie Angioy to rise highest and convert a brilliant header right up into the top corner of the net.



Angioys goal came during a drab run of form for the Macmillan talisman, but he wasted no time sending his side into the lead.
Trinity responded well to this early setback; pilling on the pressure leaving their counterparts, dressed all in red, penned in for a seemingly long period of time, struggling to clear their lines.
As more and more balls were hoisted into the mixer, Leo McDermott did extremely well whilst under challenge to eventually lash the ball away and provide some rest bite. . 
James Dalton tried his hand at driving the team in red forward, feeding a great through ball to Owain hart, dissecting open to Trinity defence. The Marton man swung in a deep cross which was met by the head of fellow club-mate Justin Taylor.
The former B team player, being watched by his former manager Mr Gilbank got over the ball and managed to get his downward header on target, the shot looked in from the sidelines but the Trinity 'keeper Jamil Bennet did extremely well to make a crucial block before the ball was scrambled away. 
Full-back Luke, a man in the form of his life at the moment amid interest from Newcastle United, showed why he's been gaining the plaudits in recent times, with a swooping challenge which saved the day for Macmillan. He came to the rescue of goalkeeper Sam Train as his last ditch tackle prevented a certain goal, what would have otherwise been a shooting chance, one on one with Train from seven yards out.
Macmillan had built their lead, setting the foundations for the rest of the match. In the foreshadow of a mini construction site at Northfields Coates men sensed that they had the structure, strength and solidity to see out this lead. Amir Kadir’s tenacity helped to see Macmillan through a short spell of Trinity possession as he regained the ball, giving Macmillan a foothold.
After a quiet period in the match Trinity were awarded a free kick in conjunction to the corner flag. Lloyd Shobo whipped the ball in and Hart was able to head the ball behind for a corner, narrowly avoiding an own goal. 
This should have been a warning for the visitors but after a succession of corners Trinity prised a way through, the ball delivered deep and Shobo leaping above Kadir to thump Trinity level, Train was left helpless in the Macmillan goal. 



Lloyd Shobo was a nuisance for Macmillan throughout the first half, he deserved his goal after winning the initial corner.
McDermott looked for a rapid response for Coates' men, his left-footed ball into the penalty area was met by thboot of goal Angioy, but he could only manage a weak connection and the ball bounced into the grateful hands of Bennet in the Trinity goal.

Shobo was running the show from a Trinity persuasion and the team in black we're grateful for his next major input. A quick fire counter attack and a Shobo ball infield presented a golden opportunity for Lennon Jones. With the Macmillan defence at sixes and sevens he ran in to prod home past Train, despite the best efforts of Luke on the goal line the ball had crossed and the cup final had been turned on its head. 
Jones’ finish set up a thrilling end to the first half.
With half time Imminent the red shirts piled forward in the quest for an equalising goal. A corner was some consolation: but it proved crucial. With Trinity struggling to clear Justin Taylor swung his boot at the ball from the edge of the area, he connected venomously and the ball flew into the roof of the net, past the despairing Bennet.
The half time whistle blew with the scores level and the fifty two strong crowd of spectators on the edge of their seats. 
James Dalton had the first chance after the interval, his half volley dived on top off by the 'keeper to keep the scores level leggings. 
Hart then came even closer as he latched on to an Oliver Cairney through ball, bearing down on the out rushing goalkeeper he placed his shot low, with the ball traveling towards goal it clipped the post and rebounded back into play. 
Amid Kadir then had a glorious chance as he volleyed past the post, this arguably Macmillan’s best period of the game as they pushed for the go-ahead goal. 
Coates was then forced into a change as ‘keeper Sam Train appeared to have twisted his ankle, he hobbled off and was replaced by Aidan Holt, who didn’t have the best introduction as he fumbled a high ball and allowed Shobo to shoot at a virtually open goal, the ball running a whisker wide of the far post.
Trinity managed to get ahead once more, A long range shot being blocked and then tapped in by Reece McMann, who appeared to be in an offside position. The assistant and referee deemed the goal legal, despite the raised arms and protests of the players in red shirts. Trinity though, were in wonderland with just over fifteen minutes left to play. 
Reece McMann was introduced midway through the second half. He was well dealt with by Leo McDermott (above) but managed to slip away from his marker to steer his side into the driving position.

Coates rung the changes. With Esa Sfarijlani, Harry Brynn and Charlie Locheran all entering the pitch as Coates looked to rattle the 'yellow ring's' defence.
This inspired the Macmillan fight back, a free kick was bouncing loose in the box and Charlie Locheran managed to run in and stab the ball home from less than two yards out to send the Macmillan faithful wild and put the match hanging in the balance once again. 
Locheran, like Taylor a former B team member, provided stimulation and an attacking impetus late in the match
As Macmillan broke from a Trinity corner with five minutes to go Oliver Cairney came charging down the wing, he was forced to turn, giving Trinity bodies a chance to get back into some form of defensive shape. As Cairney played the ball through Oliver Cann was clipped carelessly just outside the box. Frankie Angioy elected to take the free kick.
The man who'd already scored the opener had a chance to possibly settle the game in the dying stages. He stepped up and struck a crisp shot venomously, power, pace and accuracy: the ball flew past the stranded Trinity 'keeper who was stationary, rooted to the spot. Angioy found the top corner and sparked scenes reminiscent of the Town Cup final victory two years ago. 
Angioys beautiful free kick sealed the win for Macmillan as a cagey last two minutes elapsed without any notable Trinity attack.
Macmillan sealing the spoils and Trinity deflated, but proud of their amazing efforts during the final itself and their journey to it.
The win for Macmillan takes the year groups trophy haul to three pieces of silverware after Town Cup success in year seven, and the league in year 8 interestingly the team they beat to both - Trinity Catholic College - Friday nights opposition, and they do it all again next month for a place at Hurworth.



Coates and Hawkins congratulated each other, reflecting on an exile rating cup final they had just witnessed.

Match statistics: 

	Macmillan	Trinity
Goals	4	3
Shots	14	12
Shots on target	8	6
Corners	5	6
Fouls	4	5
Possession	55%	45%

Venue: Northfields school 

Attendance: 52 

Post- match Analysis: 
Trinity pick holes in leaky first half Macmillan defence:
Despite falling behind, the mental process of the Trinity players was admirable; recognising the length that this final still had to go before its conclusion they were positive and black shirts flooded the Macmillan half in response to conceding.

This unnerved Coates’ side and they conceded two preventable goals, something which frustrated the manager, who regarded it as ‘weak’ at the time.

Lloyd Shobo and Lennon Jones, the two early Trinity scorers were excellent and well worth their district pedigree aswell as their goals which gave Trinity the lead at one stage.
Macmillan did sure things up though, and this restricted Trinity to fewer second half attempts, this despite their tantalising attacking football to open up Coates side during the opening thirty five minutes.
Frankie Angioy key touches:
Frankie Angioy kept things simple on Friday, the graphic below highlights the talismanic forwards key touches. Two were goals, one was a crucial clearance. Despite seemingly being on a goal drought the forwards goals won Macmillan the tie, and by maintains a forward position and adopting his number nine role he was worth his weight in gold, just like he was in Macmillan’s victory two years ago at Hurworth. A Macmillan success story if ever there was one.




Angioys touch map indicates his simplistic yet effective game plan
Cann slots in to compose the game:
Middlesbrough midfielder Oliver Cann provided a vocal and physical presence late in the game and was effective despite his recent know, he shrugged this off and was able to enjoy the celebrations following the game.
Cann also showed his quality as he boasted the highest rate of successful passing on Friday, showing he is comfortable and can settle into games quickly, all be it only being on the field


Key performer - Leo McDermott: heat map :
A player who’s n ranted and raved about since day one, he’s been there and got the t-shirt. Playing for the best club in the town, school in the area district team in the North East, the string, fast and explosive left back offered durability and flexibility in Friday’s final.
He was a presence in the air, winning five Aries duels, more than any other Macmillan player in the first half and along with Frankie Angioy was instrumental in getting attacks going and flowing during the game. His engine was femoominal and work rate admirable. Mr Coates selected McDermott as his personal man of the match but in a brilliant team display he was one of many a stand out performer.

Leo McDermott’s heat map optimises his effort and quality.

Both sets of strikers have shooting boots on:

Macmillan scored four goals for eight shots on target, a 50% conversion rate and also hit the post through Owain Hart, a respectable turnover.

Trinity on the other hand were decent themselves, but will be frustrated they could only carve out six shots on target, they will feel they could have worked substitute goalkeeper Aidan Holy harder.

Macmillan living up to ‘academy’ title:

Football academies are breeding ground

Do for success and Macmillan is certainly that. Players working their way up through a clear path from the B team into the A team and onto trophies. This pathway keeper players involved I football until they are ready to play. The interest in football around the academy is at a maximum with studio filming the game and a supporters bus both in attendance in Friday night.

This setup can be a model other schools can learn from and after County Cup success from Mr Coates side, the league and Town Cup still up for grabs this is a year to get excited about.

Match report by Tom Carmichael