CONCORD Rangers Leopards have a league and cup double in their sights.
The Canvey-based under-nine side have been together little more than a year but are currently top of the South East Essex Primary Mini Soccer League’s Division Four.
And a 3-0 win over Hawkwell Athletic Leopards in the semi-finals on Sunday secured a place in the Tigers Cup final against Ashingdon Youth.
“We have had a good league run and won 12 and drawn one of our 13 games,” said manager Ken Boys.
“We reckon we have to win two out of our last five games to win the championship.
“But we know we cannot rest on our laurels especially as we want to do the double.
“The final against Ashingdon will be tough because they are the only side we have drawn with in the league.”
The semi-final, which was played at Hawkwell, was goalless at half time.
But Dylan O’Riordan scored from an Alfie Boys corner, before Boys added a second from a tight angle. Substitute Sonny Smith got the winner after chesting the ball down and rifling it in.
The team were formed from scratch at under-eight level, with none of the lads having played football before.
But they have progressed well and are now in the same division as Concord’s Tigers team.
Nine of the players are from Canvey and one is from Benfleet.
Concord will face Ashingdon in the final at Great Wakering Rover’s Burroughs Park home on May 9. Ashingdon beat Trinity Youth 3-0 in their semi-final.
Concord Rangers Leopards: Charlie Hutchinson (goalkeeper), Adam Cobb, Harry McCartney, Ryan Pritchard, Alfie Boys, Dylan O'Riordan, Thomas Poulter, Sam Nuding, Sonny Smith and Nick Skinner.
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