LITTLE Thurrock Dynamos under 9's played in the Echo Junior League Festival cup final on Sunday, 15 May against a strong Buckhurst Hill Youth team, winning the game 3-2.

After qualifying in the group stages winning all three games in their group, they then beat Pro-soccer 4-0 in the quarter finals, Barking Tigers 2-0 in the semi final to land a cup final place.

Unbeaten in 12 previous games, they went into the final full of confidence. Against the run of play, Buckhurst Hill scored first early in the second half but a free kick on the half way line by Lukas Cocan went straight in the goal to level scores. More pressure down the left wing saw Jude Wall cut inside the box and score from a tight angle to put LTD 2-1 up.

Soon after, an LTD direct free kick 20 yards out was smashed home by the impressive Joshua Dime extending LTD's lead to 3-1.

However the game was not over as a direct free kick for Buckhurst Hill 20 yards out was placed just inside the near post with three minutes to go on the clock putting pressure on LTD with numerous corners in a row that Billy Fenttiman in goal kept out.

The final whistle saw the LTD players celebrate with the sheer excitement of winning the hard fought game against a talented Buckhurst Hill side.

It only remained for Archie Crosby-Emery , the team Captain, to step forward at the awards ceremony and lift the Festival cup trophy.

Congratulations also for the Echo League nominated man-of the-match award that went to Jahmai Henry.

Team manager Scott Crosby-Emery was delighted with the win stating: "32 teams started off the champions league type format a few months ago, and now we have come out as champions of the Echo league under 9s cup. A day we will never forget. Proud of everyone of the boys this season who have got stronger as the seasons progressed".

We would like to thank our local sponsors INTERGEN (UK) LTD based at Coryton in Stanford-le-Hope for their valued support and sponsorship of an away kit and training jackets which was much appreciated.

The squad and coaches: Team Manager/coach - Scott Crosby-Emery Assistant coach - Craig Crosby-Emery Captain Archie Crosby-Emery- centre midfield Lukas Cocan- centre half Louie O'Connor - centre half Aronas Zubarevas - Right wing Junior Peterson - centre forward Joshua Dime- Left wing Billy Fenttiman - Goal keeper Jude Wall - Right wing Jahmai Henry- centre half/right wing Harley Toomey - centre midfield