A bumper crowd saw two Castlemaine Goldfields junior teams play in last weekend’s League Cup Finals at Epsom’s Huntly Recreation Reserve.

The U14As were pipped 2-1 by Spring Gully Red while the all-conquering U12Bs, undefeated champions throughout the season, were upset 1-3 by Kyneton Rangers.

In the U14s, Castlemaine came out of the blocks strongest with some great play leading to an early goal by Cohen Saunders.

The game then settled into a wrestle that ended with a Spring Gully goal leveling scores at 1-1 at half time.

After the break, Castlemaine created chances but the opposition keeper and the posts denied them the lead.

Time ticked on, play ebbed and flowed, players tired and spectators were on their feet screaming support.

Just as all present were resigning themselves to extra time, an opportunity popped up for Spring Gully who sent a cross past the outstretched hands of Castlemaine’s keeper to be turned in at the far post. Goal!

With only a minute on the clock, Castlemaine kicked off and headed forward but time was the enemy now. The game ended 2-1 to Spring Gully Red.

Despite the result, a commanding game from the Maine’s attacking midfielder, Harry Chester, saw him awarded player of the match, and Castlemaine departed wearing their participation medals proudly.

U12B

With the breeze at their backs, Kyneton Rangers adjusted to the warm conditions and foreign spaces of the artificial pitch quicker than Castlemaine.

To their credit, however, Maine’s defence held up well under regular and determined assaults on goal and was unlucky to concede when a Rangers’ shot proffered from distance was gloved into the net.

Things looked dire indeed when Kyneton was then awarded a penalty kick but keeper Hugh O’Connor held his ground, and the ball.

Although unaccustomed to finding themselves behind, the Mainers showed resolve and began to develop attacking plays in earnest with Fionn Kennedy beating the keeper only to watch as the ball inched over the crossbar, then the League’s ‘Golden Boot’, Himal Gautam striking from close range to tie scores at 1-1 at half time.

Brief lapses in concentration soon after kick-off allowed Rangers to score twice.

For the rest of the match, however, the defence remained resolute and the Maine’s supporters heartily enjoyed Kane Bassett’s crisp clearances, Obie Adams’ deft tackling, Angus Ware’s do-or-die interceptions, Hugh’s double-gloved saves and Jack Neilson Bridgfoot’s spectacular, courageous and timely interventions.

At the other end, Kyneton’s large central defender remained a magnet for Maine’s forward passes, thwarting Himal’s dashes at Rangers’ defence.

Though frustrated by regular turnovers and sapped by the size and temperature of the playing surface, the Mainers began to enjoy more possession as the half wore on.

In midfield, Sam Butterworth-Moss, Miro Vaskess and Remy Sartori ran themselves ragged, Mischa Thackray remained a handful for Kyneton and Peggy Ross showed a turn of speed.

Fionn took a kick to the shins and Elouise Jones fell heavily on her shoulder, but both battled on in the increasingly desperate pursuit of the net.

A series of sharp passes allowed Henry Tremlett-Davies to storm the top of the box before a similar display of calm, measured control saw Daniel Hall test the keeper at the near post. Just as it looked as if the Maine might pinch a goal or two, the referee blew the whistle on a hard-fought and spirited Final.

Kyneton Rangers defeated Castlemaine, 3 – 1.