Date: Sunday 18 March 2018 | Competition: Under 16 Boys | Final: Cleator Moor Celtic Jnrs v Workington AFC Juniors
Venue: Whitehaven AFC | Kick Off: 11:00am
Match Officials | Referee: Liam Fox | Assistant Referees: Grace Law and Zak Anderson

The first County Cup Final of the 2017-18 season is likely to be a close encounter with two West Cumbria based teams. Workington AFC Juniors are currently joint top of the West Cumbria Youth League having gone through the season unbeaten so far. Their opponents in Sunday’s Final, Cleator Moor Celtic JFC, are 3rd, just three points behind.

The Final is the first match for Cleator Moor Celtic Juniors FC against a fellow West Cumbrian team in the competition. A 5-4 extra-time win against Northbank Juniors in the 2nd Round followed by Warwick Wanderers JFC, Castletown Juniors Blazers and Penrith AFC Blues has brought the meeting with local rivals Workington AFC Juniors on Sunday.

The County Cup Final has been a focus for Workington AFC Juniors since claiming the Under-14 title in 2015-16. They are currently unbeaten in the West Cumbria Youth League. Their route to the Final has seen two home wins (Dalston Junior Black Reds and Carlisle City Juniors) and an away win against local team Maryport Amateurs. 

Date: Sunday 18 March 2018 | Competition: Under 16 Girls | Final: Stanwix Jnrs Hornets v Carlisle City Jnrs

Venue: Whitehaven AFC | Kick Off: 2:00pm
Match Officials | Referee: Grace Law | Assistant Referees: Zak Anderson and Cameron Meighan

A successful team through the age groups, Carlisle City Juniors have won the County Cup (Under 12s and Under 14s) as well as the Under-14 County Trophy. This is their first season at Under-16s in the Cumberland FA Women’s League; the young squad means all but two players will be staying at Under-16s next season. In their debut season at Under-16s the team finished third behind today’s opponents Stanwix JFC and League Champions Penrith AFC.

Carlisle City Juniors defeated Whitehaven AFC Juniors in their path to the Final.

The majority of the team have played together since Stanwix JFC formed their Under-10 team when they were eight and nine years old. A group of friends on and off the pitch. This is their second County Cup Final - they were County Cup Champions in 2016 (Under-14 age group) and they were League Champions & County Futsal Champions in that year too. The Finalists had a great win against League Champions Penrith AFC Juniors in the Quarter Finals and a home win against Allerdale Girls FC.

We’re looking forward to the first finals of the season, which should produce some cracking games and showcase grassroots football in Cumberland.