JOHN ULLMAN CUP FINAL - INTERVIEW WITH OLLY BELL, MAN OF THE MATCH

22.05.10

With the John Ullmann Cup now safely in the grasp of Ian Neal's youngsters thanks to their 2-0 win over Chatham Town on Sunday, dulwichhamlefc.co.uk caught up with youth team captain Olly Bell to get his thoughts and views on the Hamlet's latest trophy success.

Bell, amongst a handful of others, has come in for some high praise throughout the season for some brilliant performances at the heart of the Dulwich defence and added to this his duties as team captain it could be argued that there is a lot of pressure and expectation upon the young defender. However, Bell insists that this extra attention does not effect his game.

"No I don't think it does, I just concentrate on the game at hand and play to best of my ability."

Despite the expectations of a Chatham onslaught for 90 minutes, the Hamlet youngsters performed admirably against the Kent outfit and gave a good display to cap a fine result as well.

"I think that we showed what a brilliant team we are against Chatham. There's always a great spirit in the team both on and off the pitch and we performed as a team on the day."

Bell was also quick to add that he thought it was a good team display and refused to single out anyone for special praise, stating that he thought everyone gave a good account of themselves.

"We play as a team and I think that the whole team's performance on the day from the keeper to the strikers made the difference."

Ian Neal also talked this week about how many different formations he has implemented over the course of the season and the positive effect it has had on the side and their performances, especially against some of the tougher opposition they have faced - something Bell was eager to agree with.

"I think it's good for a team to be adaptable and the changes in formation gave us the shape that we needed for games."

Chatham, of course, have been one of the best sides in the entire Kent Youth League this season, as prior to the final they had not lost a single league game and had dispatched Gavin Rose's academy side in the semi finals of the John Ullmann Cup. Nonetheless, the skipper insists that the game did not intimidate him at all and he had confidence in his side right from the very start.

"Yes I was always confident that if we played well we were in with a good chance of winning no matter how well they've done this season. Also, if you look at the teams we beat on the way to the final, it shows the quality we have and our great performances throughout the season."

© Richard Caldecourt