West Drayton spring a cup giantkilling

SAMUEL Spasov led the way as West Drayton Explorers under12s claimed a cup comeback to remember.

Playing a year up in the U13 Slough & Windsor Open Trophy, Explorers looked down and out when they trailed 4-1 to Frontline U12s. Spasov though, had other ideas, and fired a hat-trick with Josh Odell and man-of-the-match Udonna Ukachkwu also finding the net, Explorers fought back to win 5-4.

They weren’t the only Explorers side involved in cup drama as the U15s also won a knockout game in the tensest way possible. Goals from Brandon Pritchard, Szymon Kowalczyk and Josh Daley saw their tie with Golden Eagles finish 3-3 before Explorers won the shoot-out 3-2.

Back in league action, Godwin Usifo’s double set the U11s on their way to a comfortable win over TFA United. Reece Butler, Ranvier Jamgotre and Cruz Ojo were the other boys on target in a 5-1 victory.

The U9s shared the goals around as they thrashed BJ Whites 4-0. Man-of-the-match Kasey Davenport, Marcos Valero and Hasnain Riaz all found the net with an own goal adding to their tally.

Explorers’ two youngest sides also got the winning feeling this weekend. Filip Ponski’s treble led the way the way for the U7s as they trounced Taplow United 7-1. Kajus Cepas hit a double there while Amandio Moreiro and player-of-the-match Lukas Darzinskas also hit the target.

Not to be outdone, the U6s proved too strong for Sandgate U7s, winning 6-2. Kyan Polidire was the hat-trick hero there with Tommy Clarke and Freddie Penil also among the scorers.

The U10 Reds were the only Explorers to draw, Joe Rossiter and Matthew Keane’s goals securing a share of the spoils against Chalfont Saints.

Elsewhere, Daniel Mikale’s double and an own goal could not save the U8 Blues from a 5-3 defeat at Thames Valley Youth and the U10 Blues lost 5-2 to the same opponents despite strikes from Alberto Rodriguez-Owens and Christopher Burton.