Netherton Utd U18’s are through to the JPL National Cup Final following a 3-0 Semi Final win over local rivals Yaxley FC.
In an eventful tussle which saw four red cards produced, it was Netherton that kept their cool in the soaring heat at The Grange.

Yaxley dominated the first 20 minutes and should of been 2-0 up in that period, but lost influential Centre back Euan Hattersley to injury in that period prior to a first half drinks break.

United gathered and refuelled themselves during the short rest and a neat piece of football between Will Howarth and Loui Catt produced the opening goal, which infuriated the Yaxley management. Their claim of offside was dismissed by the official and an over zealous few moments led to Manager Danny Clifton recieving a red card for kicking a dugout waste bin.
Yaxley then went down to ten men following a very late challenge by Luca Di Canio on Netherton full back Leo Brando.
They were then reduced to nine players after another heated scuffle between the two sets of players led to Yaxley forward Lewis Baughan being sent off, again for dissent.

Shortly before the half time break Will Howarth broke into the box and pulled a ball across the six yard line for an unmarked Junior Augusto to tap home for 2-0.

The game was pretty much over as a contest with Yaxleys heads gone and Netherton in control of the football.
Ryley Barfoot-Nicholson battled hard but was a frustrated figure up against it as a lone striker.
Zac Chaudhari was also one who stood out for Yaxley and never gave up for his team.

Junior Augusto set up Hayden Armiger with a neat pass and he finished with aplomb to make it 3-0 in the 69th minute.

Sadly for Augusto, he was harshly sent off 10 minutes later with a straight red card for throwing the ball in retalliation for what looked like an accidental knee in the head while down on the floor following a previous foul from behind… only the yellow card being produced for the initial player responsible for the foul.
Former Posh academy player Augusto may now miss the final at Gloucester City’s “New Meadow Park stadium” on June 26th where Netherton will face either Stockton Town or Wakefield AFC in the show piece Final - their semi final is being played on Wednesday 16th June.

In an emotional post match announcement to Players and Parents, manager Simon Roberts announced that the Cup Final would be his last game in charge of the U18’s after 10 years at the club in Junior/Youth football.

Roberts will be joining Jon Harrison and Ryan Wood in the senior first team and introduce his youth players to the senior section for the next stage of their development…

Full story on that here: https://www.nethertonutd.com/news/end-of-an-era-2623355.html