Tooting and Mitcham FC coach full of pride as U15s lift Tandridge Cup

The Tooting and Mitcham U15s coach has shared his joy after his team won the Tandridge Cup on Monday night (June 28).

Bobby Aspinall, the head coach for the Tooting and Mitcham Terrors side, oversaw his team to win the cup final 1-0 against Bromwood Colts, who finished 14 points ahead of them as the league's champions.

Despite being underdogs, Tooting and Mitcham were still victorious on the 3G pitch at the KNK Stadium.

Gustavo Freitas scored the winner after taking a touch around the keeper and slotting home midway through the second-half.

During this moment of jubilance, the centre midfielder who won possession and played the pass to get Freitas through on goal let out a scream as he suffered from cramp, having to celebrate the goal while on the deck - a moment which epitomised the gutsy and committed performance from Aspinall's boys.

Nub News talked to the 26-year-old coach, who spoke of the pride he had for managing this group of players.

"I'm very proud.

"They've been an absolute joy to work with, fantastic over the last two seasons.

"We went into the game as underdogs, however, with having our squad fully fit again we were confident. The boys were absolutely brilliant"

After this team had their cup final called off last season due to Covid-19, this final was a long time coming. There were 11 gruelling minutes of added time, so when the final whistle blew, it was a very special moment for this U15 team - a lot of whom have been part of the same side for as long as they can remember.

"It meant the world to them. A number of these boys have been with us since our kickers - which are between the ages of 4-10," Aspinall added.

"We had a lot of parents and boys from our second team who were behind our dugout. I could hear them going nuts as the goal went in which was brilliant.

"When the full-time whistle went subs and players were running around. For me and my assistants, it was a big sigh of relief; we ended up playing 11 added minutes so for the last five it was mayhem. The team did really well."

Following two seasons of disruption to the league season due to Covid-19, Tooting and Mitcham FC finished their season with silverware and prevented Bromwood Colts from winning the double. This will undoubtedly be a huge confidence boost for the team before they start as U16s next season.

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