Talented teenager lights up David Joyce Cup final at the Dog and Duck.
Leonardo Da-Silva Lopes lit up the final of the David Joyce Cup at the Dog and Duck in Wellingborough as the Peterborough United under 18s came from behind to beat AFC Rushden and Diamonds under 18s 2-1 to lift the trophy.
The 16-year-old was superb from start to finish, demonstrating unbelievable close control on a pretty awful surface and sealed the success with a breathtaking goal.
In treacherous conditions involving strong winds and driving rain at times, both sides took their time to adjust but soon chances began to be created in front of goal.
Jack Friend curled inches past the post and then headed over the bar at the far post while Tobi Adebayo-Rowling also went close in the first period.
However, it was AFC Rushden and Diamonds who opened the scoring with a close-range effort and moments later, goalkeeper Henrich Ravas made a brave stop after a long punt forward had caught the Posh defence out.
Da-Silva Lopes was lucky to escape injury before the half-time whistle after a terrible challenge somehow went unpunished.
In the second half, Posh began to up the tempo and Da-Silva Lopes was once again prominent, he showed great vision to pick out Friend who squared for Keating, who side-footed wide of the near post.
Da-Silva Lopes was then denied by the legs of the goalkeeper before Posh did level the scores as Keanu ROBINSON, who scored in the semi-final win over Northampton, fired home from close-range as the Diamonds failed to clear.
Then DA-SILVA LOPES had the crowd on their feet as he collected a pass in his own half, turned his man, ran at pace at the back four and then curled a fine right-footed effort into the bottom corner to give Posh the lead.
After five minutes of stoppage time, Posh were able to lift the trophy and the celebrations began on the pitch.
Posh: Ravas, Robinson, Maslen-Jones, Luto, Adebayo-Rowling, Keating (sub Noble), Lee, Friend, Da-Silva-Lopes, Humphrey (sub Penfold). Unused subs: Henry, Alban-Jones, Connor.