APSA Reserves managed to secure a place in the Ilford and District
League(IDFL) Fenton Cup final against Broadwater Utd FC. After a bismal
start to the season, first losing their Manager to personal circumstances,
then losing the stand in Manager to illness, and finally getting the
comitted person they needed in Jami Ahmed.

Jami Ahmed is a football man through and through, having being involved in
Asian Football since 1993 and participating the in the first Asain League,
he had a particular desire to ensure youngsters from the community would be
given a better oppurtunity than he was. Having seen the success of London
APSA he knew, his attributes would suit this club and has proven his worth
in his first season. Taking over when APSA were at the bottom of the league
and without a win to their name, he managed to secure 6th place in the IDFL
and take the team to a Cup Final.

On reaching the final he had promised the lads a new kit. Jami never fails
to deliver and after some negotiation with the very successful ???????
properties, he attained a fabulous sponsorship deal with a promise for more
funds on victory. This new partnership with ?????? properties is an
excellent opportunity to build another partnership with local business and
help to grow London APSA.

Mr Ahmed led out a very smart looking reserve side(as commented by some
slightly jealous first team players), in all blue. With almost a full squad,
APSA were particularly hopeful of another success. Having lost in the league
by six goals to Broadwater, this was going to be a tall target and much
determination and concentration was required, especially as the larger
portion of the 300 crowd was all APSA.

The game started with APSA looking the stronger and having much of the
possession. In the 10th minute a Rbibi shot was cleared of the line and
Broadwater sprung into attack. Broadwater's young but quick players, moved
up the field with ease, and Mensah ran on to the long ball beating Hussain
for pace and neatly clipping over APSA keeper Colgans head. 

APSA seemed shell shocked and one could not be excused of thinking they may
fold after such an early goal. Broadwater piled on more pressure as they
looked to take the game out of APSA's hands. Some more interesting cross
field balls from Walters, gave APSA more problems and only the die hard
challenges of Ibrahim kept APSA in the game. After 10 minutes of really
shaky play APSA seemed to get their heads on the game again and the cleaver
football started to come back as they worked their way into the opposition
half. It was one such move with Samateer and Rbibi combining and Rbibi
kidding the young defender into pushing him over just on the edge of the
box. Captain Shezad Nawaz struck an un-saveable penalty with pace and
precision, clipping the inside of the post and making the score 1-1.

Back in the game but still not looking quite well, APSA struggled to contain
the Broadwater Pace. Again the threat coming straight through the middle,
APSA player backing off to ensure know one ran through and underestimating
the striking ability of Djedje, who's thunderous strike from somewhat 30
yards went straight into the top corner. 28 minutes and back to a goal down,
APSA upped the anti and threw bodies in the box and utilised the left boot
of Fullback Bapu to fine affect. A string of crosses from Bapu gave
Broadwater immense problems, as first Chuck came close then Rbibi headed
wide. Dihaj was not to be thwarted and he ran on to a deceptive ball from
Smateer, where,  keeper, fullback and winger all thought they would get. The
keeper gave up the chase to his peril Dilhaj was quick to the ball and while
Gamra backtracked towards goal he struck with precision bringing the game
back to 2-2 in the 43rd minute.

Half Time

A disappointed Jami went into the dressing room and we're sure some people
would have got a severe ticking off for taking the game to lightly and
taking unnecessary risks in the defensive third. Whatever he said seemed to
work as APSA busied themselves in the opposition half creating some good
chances. It wasn't until the skilful Pervaiz was brought on that APSA
finally took the lead. His ability to attract 2-3 players at a time, trying
to dispossess him brought alot more time for the APSA attack. On 60 minutes
Anthony Chuck took down a neat ball from Everett and his clever little run
on the inside of the defender saw him brought down in the box. Nawaz stepped
up again and this time struck to the right of the keeper and in the top
corner to give APSA a much deserved 3-2 lead.

Broadwater were not to be thwarted and pressed APSA into their own half.
Some fine defensive play by the rejuvenated Hussain and some quality saves
from Colgan in goal kept APSA in the game. In the 70th minute the inevitable
happened and what seemed to be a clear offside proved to be a good decision
as the sharp eyed linesman paul Newson later pointed out "The ball came off
the APSA player to fall at the feet of the striker. With only the keeper to
beat Mensah had no problems slotting home the equaliser.
	
With 6 goals gone in and still more drama to come. Both teams battled to the
final whistle with both sides coming close to scoring but neither having
that final bit of quality to finish the game off. Referee John Whitnell,
blew the final whistle. APSA replaced tired legs with Mahmood and Khan and
set about trying to score the vital winner.

Chuck who'd been inspirational all game came good at the crucial stage. With
7 minutes to the end of the first of half of extra time. Khan and Pervaiz
combined to release Khan onto the wing. Khan crossed superbly and Dihaj's
header was cleared off the line only to find Chuck waiting to secure the
goal he so richly deserved. 

The 2nd half of extra time started of with some frantic defending and
attacking with both sides coming close. the best two chances falling to
Dihaj, who's tired legs and overstretched groin couldn't see him put another
goal in to finish the game off. APSA settled with a 4-3  victory against a
very good Broadwater UTD FC.

MANAGER Jami Ahmed had this to say
"My heart bleeds for some of the players I couldn't play in the final and
particularly Shakib Chowdhury who has been playing all season and was
guaranteed a start in the final. His short trip from Ilford become a
nightmare as he got stuck behind a major accident and arrived to late to
start. It's a tough job being a Manager at APSA, expectations are high, but
nothing is more difficult than having to look at players you didn't play in
the final.....
Broadwater are an excellent team and really played well. They're very young
and will go on to win many cups in the future. 
On the whole I thought we played well in patches and really only showed our
foot-balling ability in the later stages of the game when we got the ball
down on the floor and enjoyed the lovely game. "

Chairman Zulfi Ali had this to say
"What can I say, he's a marvellous guy. He goes everywhere with a smile on
his face, he's committed to the job and has done splendidly well to achieve
so much in so little time. What is really outstanding is that he organises
everything almost single handedly, however he'd be the first to admit that
Khalid and Aftab provide alot of good support work. Inshala he will go on to
do well in the Inner City World Cup this year and possibly in the UK Asian
Championship Glasgow. I'm really pleased with the progress he's made with
the team so far and look forward to seeing more"