Enfield FC have won their first Champion of Champions title in 23 years after defeting Bosco FC 2-0 in the U16 Boys.
Goals from Adin Gunic and Calin Jones saw Enfield win their seventh Champion of Champions titles and their first since 1999. This lifts Enfield to equal second (with Earlwood Wanderers) in the list of Football Canterbury clubs with most titles, sitting one behind Inter Lions (8).
Football Canterbury have strong history in the U16 Boys division, with this being the ninth time one of the Association’s clubs have won the competition since it started in 1968.
Champion of Champions: Enfield FC wins
2022: U16 Boys
1999: U16 Boys
1997: U17 Boys
1996: U12 Boys
1995: U11
1986: U9
1985: U8
Match Report: Enfield FC 2-0 Bosco FC
Goals either side of halftime led Enfield FC to victory in the 16 Boys Final.
The game’s first shot was with only four minutes played, Calin Jones testing Bosco goalkeeper Jake Dover from 20 yards. The Football Canterbury side then nearly took the lead in spectacular fashion midway through the first half but Dover tipped Gianluca Da Pozzo’s 35 yard effort over the crossbar. Bosco’s Cohen Pfrengle showed off his own long range shooting abilities in the 20th minute, forcing Enfield shotstopper Hamish Gordon into a full-length diving save.
Enfield’s Adam Elchab also tried his luck from long distance but he would instead create the game’s opening goal. On 25 minutes, Elchab delivered a pinpoint corner kick to the far post and Adin Gunic timed his run perfectly to slam the ball into the net.
Bosco nearly responded with their own set piece as halftime approached: Lachlan Ritchie sent the ball swerving dangerously towards goal, drawing another fine save from Gordon.
Enfield doubled their lead in the opening minute of the second period after more mastery from the dead ball. Deon Angelos played a vicious in swinging free kick into the goalmouth and caused a scramble with Calin Jones showing up in the right place at the right time to make it 2-0.
There were a couple of close calls as Enfield pushed to extend their lead. On 44 minutes, Angelos saw another of his free kicks pushed wide by Dover and from the resulting corner kick Diego Rodriquez Hernandez picked out Ryan Garben who was denied by a goal line clearance.
Bosco’s biggest chance came in the 51st minute when Lachlan Ritchie beat the defenders and the goalkeeper to a through ball, however his shot on the turn rolled agonisingly wide of the goal. Bosco continued to fight for a way back into the contest and with 11 minutes left, Pfrengle left fly from the edge of the area but was denied by Gordon.
Riccardo Lo Presti nearly put the cherry on the sundae for Enfield in the 63rd minute. He broke clear and threatened to score a third goal however his shot was safely held by Dover. Ritchie then had one last chance for Bosco with two minutes remaining: Gordon ensured a clean sheet for Enfield by saving the free kick.
Match Stats
Enfield 2 (Adin Gunic 25’, Calin Jones 36’) vs Bosco FC 0
Enfield FC: 1. Hamish GORDON, 2. Deon ANGELOS, 3. Gianluca DA POZZO, 4. Adam ELCHAB, 5. Ryan GARBEN, 7. Adin GUNIC, 8. Calin JONES, 9. Ahmed RUSTOM, 10. Oliver RIDDELL, 11. Joshua RUSSO, 13. Joshua VUMBACA, 14. Adrian CAPRARO, 15. Riccardo LO PRESTI, 17. Diego RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ, 58. Cody PHAM
Bosco FC: 1. Jake DOVER, 4. Edward CALVERT, 5. Lachlan RITCHIE, 6. Riley BRYETT, 9. Koby ENRIGHT, 10. Liam DEVLIN, 12. James KEARNEY, 13. Lachlan DRIES, 18. Cohen PFRENGLE, 20. Seth WILSON, 23. Cooper KNOWLES, 26. Owen LAMBERT, 29. Byron THOMAS, 38. Jackson GRAVES, 40. Patrick HUGHES
