THE representative teams from the Peterborough and District Junior Alliance League have been making the game look EASY this season.

With the Under 12s and 14s having already won their own versions of the regional competition, on Sunday it was the turn of the Under 13s to show what they were all about.

And Kevin Pilbeam's side certainly didn't let the league down at Saffron Walden when they lifted the EASY Cup after a 2-0 win against Colchester.

Goals from Matt Sparrow and Connor Pilbeam after half-time proved enough on a swelteringly hot day in Essex for the 'boro boys to rubber-stamp their class as the best Under 13 junior team in the region.

Boss Pilbeam said: "We had drawn against them in the group stages so we knew they were a very good side who had a few players well-capable of doing us damage.

"But we went into it with a gameplan which worked out well for us. It's a bit of a sloping pitch at Saffron Walden and we had that against us in the first half so we kept it tight and tried to make sure they didn't create too many chances.

"And it worked out well as we were still at 0-0 by half-time despite them having a number of chances.

"We then changed our formation to 4-4-2 and got at them after the break and were 2-0 up inside 10 minutes of the restart.

"They did out-shoot us overall but we took our chances better than they did and ended up worthy winners.

"It has been a great season and I would like to thank all the parents, fans and players who have been involved – particularly Rick Levin, Martin Hipwell and Angelo Errico."

Following a goalless first half the Alliance lads got into their stride after the break and hit the front when Sparrow latched onto a long clearance to head the opener from 12 yards out.

Then minutes later a Liam Lorraine cross was met by Pilbeam who volleyed home at the back post to make the game safe.

Squad: Alex Beeken, Luke Gasson, Matthew Burdock, Johnny Hipwell, Lewis Holmes, Ryan Smith, Matt Sparrow, Tom Green, Hayden Errico, Tim Magnus, Ryan Levin, Connor Pilbeam, Liam Lorraine, Joe Danile, Alex Weston, Tom Westerman.



APPLICATIONS for entry to the Peterborough and District Junior Alliance for the forthcoming season are now being taken.

Entry forms can be obtained either by downloading from the league website at www.pjal.co.uk or by contacting Hazel Burgess on 01406 330563.