Penalty Shoot-Out Seals Knockout Cup for U13 Boys
December 13, 2025 — The U13 boys won the knockout cup for the second year in a row in a thrilling game vs Whitney Institute on Saturday morning.
The team started slow, being beaten to the ball in the midfield and generally not gaining a foothold in the game. They conceded two early goals to the bigger and more physical Whitney team. Coach Shon decided to push inspirational captain Jason Ngaruiya up into the midfield and we started to grow into the game.
Down 2-0 at the half, we knew the team could come back if they showed more bravery, hunger and grit. However, we also needed to change our formation to exploit mismatches and so coach Shon decided to move Shiloh forward to striker. At the start of the second half our fullbacks such as Jeremy Ngaruiya, Gus Davis and Carter Davis, wingers James Wallace and Leo Heyland and midfielders Mason Smith, Sam Bernardino and Austen Fagundo, started winning more possession and playing the ball forward to Shiloh. Leo and Gus in particular played some lovely long balls and through ball to Shiloh who finished his chances clinically, finding the back of the net not once, not twice but three times to give the Sharks the lead! Shiloh's finishing was brilliant, and the crowd and the team went into delirium when the third goal hit the back of the net.
Whitney were still determined to come back, but our defenders such as Charles Mitchell and Matthias Gentles held strong, and goalkeeper Sethika Fernando made some good saves. With about fifteen minutes to go, Whitney won a freekick and unfortunately the shot slipped through Sethika's hands to tie the score 3-3.
In was an intense end to the game, and both teams had chances, however neither were able to convert. Jack Fullerton had a good cameo on the wing. Unfortunately, Charles Smith rolled his ankle in the warm up and was unable to play. Walker Smith, who has made strong contributions to the team throughout the season, did not get the opportunity to play as coach Shon did not want to change the team that had so much success in the second half.
And so it went to a penalty shoot-out. Both teams kept their composure scoring penalty after penalty. It was 5-5 with no misses when Sethika redeemed his earlier mistake and made a diving save. This gave our next penalty taker Sam Bernardino the chance to win it for Somersfield. Unfortunately, his shot just hit the post and went wide. Whitney's next player then missed. Up stepped James Wallace with a shot to win the cup. He calmly slotted the ball into the right corner of the net and the team charged towards him in absolute ecstasy. Captain Jason lifted the trophy with the team and Shiloh was named MVP.
Coach Shon and I were very proud of how the team responded to adversity and came back. We were also proud of how they supported each other as teammates and lifted each other even after mistakes. Please congratulate and celebrate with the boys when you see them.
Other players who have contributed to the team this season include Benjamin Sherratt, JD Wideman, James Casling-Hall, Mason Crews, Eamon Tiwari, Manuel Maldonado-Jaime, Marcus Cann, Rex Henagulph, Grayson Hartnett-Beasley and Hugo Adams.
A huge thank you to the LB Academy coaches Shon, Rychus and Kam who have developed brilliant relationships with our players and developed them as footballers.
