Written by: Luke Rushbrooke

Florence Gold edge out Walsall Phoenix with  a 2-1 win at Evans Park in the Youth Under 15s Sunday Cup Final.


Player of the match Ethan Arkinstall cancelled out Alife Keyte’s opener, before netting his second late on to seal the result. 

Tobias Johnson was kept busy in the Walsall net during the opening 10 minutes, denying Florence’s Tyler Hodgkinson with his legs, before diving on a dangerous, bobbling ball in the area. 

Harrison Pace pulled the trigger from a tight angle after 12’, but again the Phoenix keeper stood firm. 

Meanwhile, Ethan Downes proved to be a thorn in the side of the Gold as the first half unfolded, tearing down the right flank on the counter to win three consecutive corners.  

Arkinstall then came agonisingly close to take the lead for his side on the half -hour mark, but his effort through a crowd of grey and red shirts was turned behind.

From the resulting corner, Johnson was called into action once more. The number one pushed the in-swinging ball on to the cross bar to keep the score level. 

At the other end, Max Bailey nearly turned in Keyte’s skewed shot, sliding in at the back post, but came just short. 

Florence nearly caught the Walsall keeper off his line in the final minute of the half, but the effort from range bounced over the cross bar and the scoreline remained level at the break.

Half Time: Walsall Phoenix 0-0 Florence Gold

Into the second half, and Aiden Davidson did well to gather a long range free kick, but he couldn’t reach Keyte’s opener just seconds later. The forward found space and fired into the bottom left-hand corner to put Walsall in front. 

But Florence responded almost immediately from the restart as Arkinstall broke in behind and slotted home to level. 

The Gold then finally pulled ahead on the counter attack, as Arkinsall earnt his second of the night and guided home a bouncing ball in the area. 

Phoenix fought for a late equaliser, but Florence clung on to claim the cup.

Full Time: Walsall Phoenix 1-2 Florence Gold



Player of the Match: Ethan Arkinstall

Match Gallery: County Youth U15 Sunday Cup Final : Walsall Phoenix 1-2 Florence Gold