Chelsea Reserves - National Champions
CHAMPIONS
By Since66
May 17 2011
Just over 24 hours after lifting the Barclays Reserve League Southern title, Carl Magnay and Ryan Bertrand together lifted the National title after an extremely entertaining and enthralling play-off against Blackburn Rovers at Stamford Bridge last night. The game ended in a 1-1 draw and the title was decided on a penalty shoot-out which Chelsea won 5-4.
Take note 1st team. These youngsters know how to take penalties. No fear, no pressure just wham bam thank you ma'am.
Five brilliant penalties and a save to boot from Ross Turnbull with his legs when the scores were level at 3-3.
Chelsea's penalty scorers:
Conor Clifford
Gokhan Tore
Milan Lalkovic
Adam Phillip
Michael Woods
Chelsea had enough chances to win the game but a combination of poor finishing and good saves from Rovers 'keeper Kean kept Chelsea scoreless until right-back Todd Kane unleashed a 25 yarder high into the top corner to equalise Blackburn's opener.
Blackburn took the lead when Formica headed home after defensive errors allowed Rovers to get a cross in and right at the end, Blackburn could have won it when Potts was allowed to shoot.
Fortunately his shot just went wide.
The youth and Academy looks like to be paying dividends at last - FA Youth Cup Winners last season and two reserve titles, when the reserves looked out of the running just a few short weeks ago.
All that is left to happen now is that some of these exciting youngsters get to break into the first team and stay there.
Chelsea: Ross Turnbull, Todd Kane, Tomas Kalas, Carl Magnay, Ryan Bertrand (Aziz Deen-Conteh 79), Conor Clifford, Nathanial Chalobah (Michael Woods 79), George Saville (Bobby Devyne 79), Gokhan Tore, Milan Lalkovic, Adam Phillip