Watford team Sun Sports Youth win Herts Under-16 County Cup

Sun Sports Youth beat Hemel Aces Panthers 3-0 to win the Herts Under-16 Challenge Cup at the County Ground, Letchworth, on Sunday and they will now aim to complete the double in the West Herts Challenge Cup Final on May 19.

Goals from Joshua Flannagan, Kuba Tinriover and Patrick Brander secured the triumph and manager Dave Barnes hopes his young players fully appreciate what they have achieved.

“I thought we thoroughly deserved the win,” he said. “This group of players have so much talent and I’m extremely proud of what they have achieved winning league and cup titles.

“Everyone involved should take a lot of pride from their achievements and look forward to the next chapter in their footballing journeys.”

The county cup winners show off their trophy and medals (Image: John Elliott)

With both sides up for the challenge but showing some nerves, the final started at quite a frantic pace, but Sun soon began to find their stride.

The league’s leading scorer Brander had chances to break the deadlock in the first half, but he was unable to get the better of the Panthers keeper who made some fine saves to ensure the game remained goalless at the break.

Patrick Brander completes Sun's victory (Image: John Elliott)

However, Sun didn’t have long to wait to make the breakthrough when a great challenge form Harry Barnes, who was a rock at the back throughout, led to a Matt Pinching through ball which was eventually converted by Flannagan.

Boosted by this, a second goal followed when a corner was put away by Tinriover.

Hemel didn’t let their heads drop and kept trying to get back in their game but the victory was secured when Brander scored the third from a cross.