SHAQUILE Coulthirst scored a goal in each half to inspire Westward’s under-11s to victory over Hampstead Hawks and pick up this week’s Camden New Journal and Islington Tribune Big Match Special trophy.
Winning skipper Sean Grace received the trophy from Islington’s deputy mayor Anna Berent on Monday night after his team (pictured) recovered from an early scare take control of the match.
Hawks started brightly with centre midfielders Elliot Boreham and Bradley Martin pushing forward.
Ben Rennie almost gave them the lead but saw his effort cleared off the goal line by Westward’s Jake Monerville.
Westward, whose two-and-a-half year unbeaten run was ended last week by Peel, responded with a succession of corners but Hawks held firm until Coulthirst raced onto a pass from Joe Foley and withstood a challenge by the keeper to find the back of the net.
Grace made it 2-0 when he arrived at the near post to meet Monerville’s corner-kick and force the ball over the line.
Hawks’ best chance of the half came from Aamir Ishfaq but his shot was blocked by the outstanding Alexander Best.
Rene Zamudio prevented Hawks falling further behind with a string of good saves, denying Foley on three occasions.
But the keeper could do nothing when Coulthirst ran straight at the heart of the Hawks back line before firing low and hard into the corner of the net.
Hawks substitute Omar Rowe led a late attacking surge but the boys from Hampstead couldn’t find a way through.

Man of the Match: Shaquile Coulthirst

THERE were plenty of candidates in this thrill-a-minute encounter but Shaquile (pictured left with Islington Deputy Mayor Anna Berent and Sean Grace) won it with his skilful flicks over opponents’ heads, his pace and strength with the ball at his feet and his eye for goal.