REAL 60 Panthers.
"2003 League Cup Champions"
Sunday 23rd March. Medway youth league Cup Final, Kent.
REAL 60 PANTHERS
V
THAMESVIEW YOUTH
The weather was perfect, playing conditions were ideal & to top it off the final was charged with emotion & played at the highest quality. Both teams should be congratulated. Cup holders Thamesview came into this final as favorites after an impressive road in, playing & defeating all division
1 sides to make their second consecutive final appearance. Real progressed to the final with some very impressive victories against Black Lion (9-1) Woodpecker (15-0) & a thrilling quarter final encounter with Cliff Royals, which they eventually won 4-3 on penalties thanks to a couple of superb penalty saves from Jamie Sterling.
Real booked a place in the
finals by beating Thamesview Rangers with another impressive 7-1 win. Sam Pepper was instrumental in 3 of Real's goals scoring one & creating goals for Jacob Chiarletti & Bradley Collins. 2nd half saw 2 goals from Caleb Porter & a goal a piece for Thomas Hicks & Nicholas Hardinges. A good size crowed was at the Lordswood football club to cheer the 2 finalist on, it was midway through the first half that the
Panthers fans had something to celebrate when Thomas Hicks netted from 15 meters out. 
Before the halftime break Thomas had found the net twice more both from similar distances, the 3rd was undoubtedly the goal of the match, taking the ball past his marker with ease then striking the sweetest of shoots from 20 meters, the ball hitting the side netting
& leaving the goalkeeper no chance. This should have sealed the match but Thamesview were determined to spoil the party & pulled 2 back midway of the 2nd half. The final 10 minutes of this game had everything, end to end action, a disallowed goals, gamesmanship & high tension. 
Full credit has to go to the Thamesview lads as they did not give
up & as always it was sad that their had to be a loser & on the day it could have gone either way. Mobolaji Dawodu earned the Thamesview Youth's player of the match & Thomas Hicks was the worthy winner of the award for Real 60's player of the match.
A day to remeber
Thomas Hicks & Nick Hardinges
John Hardinges Real 60 DOC behind.
John Hardinges (right) Coaching officer for Real 6o.
The club from Kent is one of the most successful clubs in & around Medway. Jeff Haydon (left) met John at Westham's football in the community coaching clinic & has since had the pleasure of working with John over the last few months. The club has players attending Westham & Millwall football in the community. Westham visit the club during the school holidays & run week long coaching clinics.
Real 60 recently gained the FA Chartered standards award.