Kenilworth School beat Bilton to lift cup at Coventry Building Society Arena
By Eamonn Richards
4th May 2022 | Football
A brace from Rylie Siddall saw Kenilworth School lift their fourth Under 16s Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
Kenilworth, who had won the cup three times before in 2001, 2010 and 2014, had already hammered Bishop Ullathorne 8-0 in the semi final after overcoming Finham Park and President Kennedy in the early rounds.
They faced a Bilton School side making their cup final debut having beaten Ernesford Granage, Bablake and Caludon Castle all by three-goal margins on their route to the CBS Arena.
Kenilworth started the better of the two sides, keeping possession well and playing mostly in Bilton's half.
Captain Jack Thomas and Thomas Hoey impressed in the middle of the park, having complete control of the midfield with their power, passing and technical ability.
Kenilworth nearly went ahead after Hoey beat three players to burst into the box, after his initial shot was blocked he reacted faster than the Bilton defence but his follow up was saved well.
On 20 minutes Kenilworth took a deserved lead.
The ball was played to down the right to Jack Cooke whose teasing cross was won in the air by Callum Rennolds. The ball fell to the onrushing Siddall whose powerful shot went through the Bilton's keepers legs.
Kenilworth continued to dominate possession with centre halves Jonah Schnurr and Dani Endersby clearing any danger before a potential shot on Kenilworth's goal.
The Rugby contingents first opportunity was on 30 minutes with a well-struck free kick from 20 yards out comfortably saved by Connor Checketts in the Kenilworth goal.
Despite Kenilworth's dominance, Bilton won a rare corner on the stroke of half time.
Bilton's centre half jumped higher and powered a header past Checketts who was unable to keep the ball out of the net.
Their players reacted passionately, with their players jumping into the stands to celebrate with their fans.
Despite the half ending 1-1, Kenilworth looked the better side.
That continued into the second half and they got their reward 10 minutes after the break.
A set piece was well claimed by Checketts in goal, whose perfectly executed 70-yard volleyed pass turned into a through ball for Siddall, who ran past his defender and calmly passed the ball into the corner of the net for his second of the game.
Midway through the half Kenilworth wasted a chance to finish the game.
Great feet by Thomas created space 30 yards out. Beating two men, his perfectly weighted through ball was met by Jack Cooke, however his shot was saved brilliantly to keep Bilton in the contest.
As the half drew on the game got stretched and increasingly nervy but Kenilworth continued to manage the game well.
Bilton's only opportunities came from set pieces launched into the box but substitute keeper Joe Tate excellently claimed three in a row, taking the sting out of the game.
Kenilworth saw out the game - deserving their fourth Coventry Telegraph Cup - to the delight of the players, fans and managers Richard Dandy and Gareth Jones.
Speaking after the match head teacher Hayden Abbott said: "We are all really proud of the team as they played exceptionally well.
"Congratulations to all of the boys who fully deserve their success."
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