A hat-trick from Guy Paz capped off a fine season for the U15 Blues with a 3-2 win over Borehamwood Youth Crusaders in the final of the WFL Spring Plate on Sunday. Despite having a depleted squad for the final, a thirteenth consecutive win was just the reward for this group of boys who finished their league season four points off top spot in the U15 Blue Division.

The match started brightly with Lions in control for the early part of the game. Kicking downhill on a rather narrow and uneven pitch, Lions created a few early chances and took a deserved lead on 12 minutes when Paz slotted home from close range. Borehamwood started to dominate play but rarely troubled stand-in goalkeeper Louis Gotch, thanks to Lions captain Josh Fox and Saul Jacobson in the heart of the defence. Shortly before half time, Borehamwood were on level terms after Lions failed to clear a free-kick on the edge of the box and the referee somewhat controversially judged the ball to have crossed the line from the ensuing goalmouth scramble. All square at the break.

There was further controversy in the early stages of the second half. Sammy Ellis was sin-binned having dared to question the referee for failing to award a free-kick for what appeared to be a blatant foul. Despite being temporarily down to ten men, Lions appeared to be galvanised and started to push forward and quickly regain the lead as Paz hit home for his second of the game. There were further chances for Paz as well as Harry Garson and Zack Josephs but couldn't quite find the breakthrough to extend the lead. That was until the 58th minute when Paz completed his hat-trick and his 21st goal of the season.

Into the closing stages of the game and the referee brandishes another yellow card, this time sending goalkeeper Louis Gotch to the sidelines. The Lions were once again down to ten men. Nathan Samuels temporarily donned the gloves and weather the storm until Gotch is allowed back on to the pitch to resume goalkeeping duties. With barely two minutes of normal time left on the clock and victory in sight, Lions concede a direct free-kick just outside the box. It's 3-2 and a rather nervy finish to the game. The four minutes of time added on seemed like an eternity but the boys hold on. Having played almost half of the second with ten men, the final whistle was met with sheer relief and jubilation.

It's a well deserved end to a long season.