AS THE season comes to a close, one youth football team have earned praise from their manager for sticking to their task. Stones Athletic YFC U17s have shown tremendous fighting spirit in a difficult season during which they have lost 13 of their 16 matches.
But they ended the campaign with their second win, beating Brentwood Athletic Tigers 4-2.
Ruairi Pammen's early goal was cancelled out as the Tigers led 2-1 at the interval.
But a Sam Russell penalty and two goals from Henry Bennett ensured Stones fought back to win – indicative of efforts they have shown during the season.
Coach Phil Poston said: "What a wonderful end to an extremely difficult season.
"Out of their 16 games Stones Athletic have won just two, and drawn one. I would have thought most 16 and 17-year-olds would have thrown in the towel and settled for an Xbox tournament long before the end of the season, but I guess the sporting spirit and determination is still strong in the footballers of Essex."
Squad: Sam Poston, Henry Jennings, Ruairi Pammen, Steve Bonner, Aaron Low, Henry Bennett, Tom Wren, Josh Ripton, Sam Russell, David Bohn, Andrew Bedding, Charlie Evans, Adam Matthews, Dan Brooks, Nat Nochols, Carlos Cruz, Ross Williams, Tom Nurham, Tristan Luke, Kaan Sumer, Danny Moore, Liam Malloy, Seb Brennan
