Glebe U9 Jaguar’s 2 vs 4 AFC Shortland Cyclones

On 10 May 2026, Glebe U9 Jaguars played in their first-ever cup final at home, taking on AFC Shortland Cyclones in a 7-a-side match kicking off at 11:30am. From the outset, it felt like a special occasion for everyone involved.

Glebe could not have asked for a better start. Inside the first minute, Ben Insall opened the scoring, setting an early, positive tone and giving the boys immediate belief. It was a dream opening and reflected the confidence the team had built throughout their cup run.

To their credit, AFC Shortland Cyclones responded with real determination. They had clearly prepared well for the challenge since our last meet, bringing a lot of intensity from the sidelines, at times requiring a reminder that this was an Under-9s game.

The remainder of the first half was closely fought, with both sides working hard for control. Despite Glebe staying organised and working well as a unit, Shortland managed to turn the game around and went into half-time with an advantage.

The second half really showed what this Jaguars team is about. With the score going against them, the boys dug deep, pushed on, and refused to let the game drift away. The breakthrough came when Alex drove forward and buried the ball in the net, dragging Glebe back into the contest. Suddenly the momentum shifted, belief flooded back in and for a spell it genuinely felt like the Jaguars were going to nip it. The noise from the sidelines and the togetherness on the pitch said everything.

In the end, AFC Shortland Cyclones found two more goals to secure a 4–2 victory, but Glebe never stopped competing. The effort and attitude right until the final whistle showed exactly why this group deserved to be in a cup final.

The boys were also without Lewis on the day due to illness, and he was missed both on and off the pitch, reflecting the strong bond within the squad.

Every player played their part, showing commitment, teamwork, and togetherness throughout, with Ben Insall awarded Man of the Match for his tireless work rate, driving play, supporting teammates, and helping ensure heads never dropped.

More than the result, this final was about experience and development. There are valuable lessons to take away from playing in such a competitive match, and those lessons will help the boys continue to grow both individually and as a team. For many, it was their first taste of a cup final and a moment they will remember for a long time. Reaching this stage is a great achievement and something everyone connected with the team can be proud of.

A big thank you to all the parents & family who backed the boys throughout the competition and on the day. The encouragement from the sidelines made a real difference.

A special thank you also to David for his support and for helping the boys believe in themselves to reach this stage of the competition.

Well done, Jaguars… a proud moment, a valuable experience, and a strong foundation for what comes next. ??