PASE boys are champions

4:49pm Friday 24th March 2006

Boreham Wood Football Club's U19 PASE team has won the Southern Conference League Cup for the first time in their history after defeating Gravesend and Northfleet 2-0 in the final.

Like the first team the PASE side, which is similar to a youth academy, has enjoyed a wonderful cup run this year culminating in victory over Gravesend last week at Thurrock FC's ground in Essex.

The foundations of the victory were laid by the strength of Wood's second and third year veterans Elvis Balic, Joe O'Brien, Jamie Hazell, Greg Morgan, Dennis Paratusic and skipper Brad Hewitt.

But it was the first year youngsters who grabbed the headlines.

Luke O'Malley hit a 30-yard screamer in the first half and followed it with a poacher's goal in the second half, while giving a mature performance that delighted the Wood faithful.

Other first year youngsters such as Nicky Martin, Ola Williams, Joe Atkins, and Callum Horton all stuck manfully to their tasks to nullify pre-match favourites Gravesend with gutsy performances.

For the first 20 minutes, Wood defended resolutely against a strong Gravesend side before a quick free-kick changed things. O'Malley took one stride, before unleashing an unstoppable 30 yarder into the roof of the net.

Another O'Malley goal put the game beyond doubt in the second half, and Wood took control.

"This is a fabulous achievement for the club," said proud chairman Danny Hunter.

"It shows the strides we're making behind the scenes and the excellent progress our youth structure is making."

BOREHAM WOOD PASE TEAM: Callum Horton, Ola Williams, Nicky Martin, Brad Hewitt, Dennis Paratusic, Joe Aktins, Joe O'Brien, Elvis Balic, Greg Morgan, Jamie Hazell, Luke O'Malley.

Subs: Francis Otira, Eduardo Fernandes, Danny Hart, Tony Cornick, Seldyn Grant.