FRY CLUB U9 Colts Tournaments 2006

THORNBURY FALCONS – 06/05/06

Orange Team – Joel, Callum, Sam B, Ethan, Tom, Max & Sam K

Our first tournament of the Summer, back at Thornbury where we had been runners-up last year. This year however, Longwell Green, Warmley, Yate & Bitton had come and Bitton ‘A’ was our first game. We lost 1-0 to a driven free kick through a crowd from Matt Long, but were equal apart from that (they won their next game 7-0 to show how close we were). We then drew 0-0 with Slimbridge Knights although had all of the pressure, but knew that with Slimbridge to play Bitton, a win would put us through. We did that against Lawrence Weston 2-0 thanks to Tom & Max. Through as group runners-up, we faced Yate ‘B’ in a hard fought and (from the opposition line at least) at times an unpleasant game. We went down 2-1 in the end, the goal coming from Tom. Bitton ‘A’ went on to win it.

Man of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Max

SOMERSET FA – 14/05/06

Orange Team – Joby, Callum, Jack, Sam B, Tom, Ethan, Josh, Max & Sam K

This tournament was offered to all Clubs who have the Charter Standard Award and are part of Somerset. We took the U9 slot, one team per age group, up to 14 players so I decided to take nine. Good thing really as with three teams pulling out, we only had four games of seven minutes. Game one, we battered Somerton Town Youth but could only draw 0-0. Game two, we battered Burnham United but could only draw 0-0. Game three, we had an even game against Pen Mill but could only draw 0-0. Game four, already out, we battered Backwell Athletic but could only draw 0-0. Backwell won the group and played Berrow Boys in the Final, 7 minutes followed by four extra time ended 0-0 so both teams decided to share the award. We were one of four out of 16 with perfect marks for the Fair Play Award. It was drawn out of the hat, but Somerton won it.

Man of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Tom

HUTTON JUNIORS – 20/05/06

Orange Team – Jamie, Oscar, Jack, Tom, Joe, Cameron & Callum

Our first time to Hutton on the outskirts of W-S-M. We arrived and groaned at the fixtures with both City Supporters and Rovers Supporters in our group. Then we found out that it wasn’t Rovers Supporters but Rovers Academy, and we had them in our first game! It was a hard fought contest, but Tom, on at half-time got the winner 1-0. We then beat Gordano Valley Giants 1-0 thanks to Cameron and Yatton Athletic 2-0 thanks to Callum & Cameron. Three from three and going strong. We fell against BCSC 2-0 which meant that a win would leave us wanting City & Rovers to draw. We couldn’t manage the goal, drawing 0-0 with Clevedon Town ‘B’, and to add insult to injury, City & Rovers then drew. Had we scored, we would have been in the semi’s! City went on to win it.

Man of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Cameron

FC CHIPPENHAM – 21/05/06

Green Team – Jamie, Callum, Jim, Josef, Luke, Josh & Joe

Yellow Team – Joby, Jack, Sam B, Jordan, Spike, Dan & Max

And so to Chippenham. It was a wet day, but my brother Dave runs their U15’s and had played in the morning and he rang me whilst we were at the top of the drive and said that it should be ok. We went in convoy (10 cars gives a lot of scope for losing people) and eventually found the place (mobile phones are great). We put up the Gazebo, lined up on the pitches and prepared for battle. At that point, all managers were called in, to be told that the ref’s had walked the pitches and felt it was too dangerous to play on and so the tournament was postponed! Never mind eh?

FRY CLUB JUNIORS – 27/05/06

Green Team – Jamie, Callum, Jim, Josef, Luke, Josh & Joe

Blue Team – Joby, Jack, Sam B, Cameron, Spike, Dan & Max

And so to ours. It was always going to be hard with so many 1^st division teams entering, as well as unknown teams from outside of the district. The Blue team had arguably the harder group, although we were all over Saltford in the first game, we were just unable to score 0-0. We then beat Nicholas Wanderers ‘B’ 1-0 thanks to a goal from Max, but lost to last years beaten finalists Weston Crusaders ‘A’ 1-0. We drew with 1^st division Bromley Heath ‘A’ 0-0 before losing 2-1 to eventual finalists Twyford Spartans, although I felt we saw the goal of the day. Max battled in the middle to win it, played it down the left wing where Cameron beat two players and crossed in to where Dan was ghosting in at the back post to hit it high into the back of the net. We then faced Whitchurch in our last game, who had finished 3^rd in the 1^st division and had won all of their group games, scoring 14 in the process, so I was proud of the way our boys battled hard for an excellent 0-0 draw. The Green team fared a lot better, beating the Yellow team of the Juniors 1-0 thanks to a goal from Josh, then Nicholas Wanderers ‘A’ 1-0 also thanks to Josh. We drew 1-1 with last year’s winners Longwell Green thanks to a goal from Luke, before drawing 0-0 with Bromley Heath ‘B’. We lost our next game against Swindon Robins ‘A’ 3-0, so needed to win our last game and hope other results went our way. We did so convincingly against Avon Arsenal ‘B’ 4-1 with two more goals from Josh, another from Luke and an excellent chip from Joe. We missed out on runners-up on goal difference to Swindon Robins (although a win against either Longwell or Bromley would have seen us through as group winners!) but went through to the Quarter Finals as 2^nd best 3^rd placed team. We faced the other 3^rd placed qualifier Twyford Spartans who had been on their way home thanks to some mis-information and drew 0-0 in normal time. Both ‘keepers then had to come off and it went sudden death, golden goal, and Twyford got the goal. Abbeymead, from the third group, eventually won it 2-0 against Twyford.

Men of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Josh & Max

CLEVEDON – 04/06/06

Orange Team – Joby, Callum, Jack, Josh, Max, Ethan & Joe

This was a different set-up, four groups of four with each group winner going into a final group to decide the winners. To add to it, the goals were made of wood and were three foot high by nine foot wide! Our first game was against Longwell Green ‘B’ which we won 2-1 thanks to goals from Josh and Max, with Max’s coming ten seconds from the end. It would prove a decisive moment! We then played Burnbridge Wanderers ‘B’ and won 1-0 thanks to a poachers goal from Ethan and went against Swiss Valley Rangers ‘B’ knowing that a draw would be enough. We won 2-0 thanks to goals from Ethan and Max. Had we drawn with Longwell, we would have been out on goal difference! Into the final league with St Vallier, Yate Utd ‘A’ and Yate Utd ‘B’! We played Yate Utd ‘A’ first and defended well to earn a creditable 0-0. We then went down 1-0 to Yate Utd ‘B’. The Yate teams played each other and the result meant that a win would secure us runner-up, but a St Vallier win would win it for them. It was a hard game which eventually ended 0-0, which handed victory to Yate Utd ‘B’ and we came third.

Man of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Joby

INGLESIDE – 17/06/06

Blue Team – Jamie, Jack, Jordan, Josef, Max, Ethan, Sam B & Sam K

Red Team – Joel, James, Callum, Tom, Joe, Josh, Luke & Mark

Andy was away for this one so Mark took charge of the Blue team with Maurice taking charge of the Red. The Reds started badly, losing 0-2 to Bradley Stoke ‘B’, then 0-3 to BRSJ. They then came good 4-1 against FDS Bristol ‘A’ thanks to a goal from Joel and a hat-trick from Josh. This was followed by a 2-0 win against DRG Stapleton ‘B’ thanks to two from Joe and finally a 2-1 win against Coalpit Heath thanks to a brace from Tom. Having beaten FDS in the group game easily, it was a shock to hear we had missed out on qualifying for the quarters to them on goal difference. The Blue team got off to the worst possible start, losing 5-0 to Henbury Colts ‘A’. To have a chance, they really needed to win the rest. They beat Deerswood ‘A’ 1-0 in a very tight game thanks to Sam K. Then they beat Thornhill Athletic 2-0 thanks to two big kicks from Jamie and two more goals from Sam K. FDS Bristol ‘B’ were dispatched 1-0 thanks to Sam K again and in the last game of the group a Sam K goal meant that we beat Warmley Rangers ‘A’ 1-0, to come runners-up in the group on goal difference, and go through to the quarter-final against FDS Bristol ‘A’. A goal by Ethan and two more from Sam K put us 3-0 into a semi-final against Bradley Stoke ‘A’, however we lost 1-0 in a closely fought game. Warmley Rangers ‘A’ won the tournament.

Men of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Josh & Sam K

WESTBURY YOUTH – 24/06/06

Orange Team – Jamie, Sam B, Aaron, Max, Josh, Sam K & Joe

Down to Westbury in Wiltshire for the second year in a row. We started with the most amazing game. Playing Warminster Highbury ‘B’, we could have been 5-0 up within two minutes and it continued that way. In the end we got the important goal with 30 seconds to go, Sam K giving us the 1-0 win. We then played Westbury Youth, did all of the attacking, but were unable to score 0-0. Aldershot Boys had not turned up, meaning that Bradford-on-Avon was our last game. Josh got the goal to send us through 1-0 and Group winners. Our reward was Frome Town ‘A’ in the quarter-finals. They dominated play, but Jamie never actually had a save to make and it ended 0-0 going to penalties. Three penalties each saw us lose 1-0, the only goal we conceded all day.

Man of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Sam K

WARMLEY RANGERS – 25/06/06

Red Team – Jamie, Sam B, Jack, Sam Black, Aaron, Sam K, Ethan & Callum

This was a seven-a-side tournament, and it was going to be hard. Added to that was the fact we were guaranteed to miss the first half of England v Ecuador, and if we got through, we would miss all of it! Longwell Green, St Vallier ‘A’ and Warmley ‘A’ all in our group meant that simply qualifying was going to be hard. We started off very well with Aaron scoring the only goal to beat St Vallier ‘A’ 1-0. Next was Warmley ‘A’ and a closely contested game was lost by a bouncing shot, which Jamie had covered, hitting a divot just in front of him and veering off, over his shoulder 0-1. We then played Cadbury Heath and two twenty yard screamers from Sam Black then Sam K won it 2-0. Deerswood ‘B’ were out and half of the team had gone home at this stage to watch England beat Ecuador, so we were awarded a 2-0 win. Our last game was Longwell Green, and all we had to do was avoid defeat. This was accomplished 1-1 thanks to a Sam K penalty, saved initially but followed up well. Into the quarter-final and Bitton ‘B’ which in reality was their ‘A’ team. We went 2-0 down in the first half but battled back with goals by Ethan and Aaron 2-2. Three minutes extra time each way and Matt Long got his second to put us 3-2 down, but we never stopped battling and near the end Sam K made it 3-3 and sent us to penalties. For the penalties, they swapped their ‘keeper, so we did too, Aaron going in. Five each meant that we won 1-0 thanks to Sam Black’s powerfully struck kick and were into the semi-final to play Bitton ‘A’. These were not as good and we should have won, but it seem that we had finally run out of steam and we lost 0-2. Bitton played Warmley ‘A’ in the final and Warmley won 4-0, the same team that only just beat us thanks to a divot!

Man of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – The Whole Team

BRSJ – 08/07/06

Orange Team – Joby, Oscar, Max, Sam B, Sam K, Jack & Jim

We knew that this would be hard when we saw the fixtures. A team from Newport, Bishport, Paulton, ourselves and the other 21 teams were all ‘A’ Division sides. We started off with a creditable 0-0 draw with Coalpit Heath, although truth be told, we were better and had the only two real chances in the game, whilst they never had a shot. Then we faced BRSJ ‘A’, and it was their best team. We held them for nine and a half minutes, under the cosh for a lot of that time, but with the only shot on target of the game when Sam K forced a good save from their ‘keeper. Then in the dying seconds Joby pushed a thunderous shot onto the cross bar. It bounced down and they were the first to react 0-1. We faced Bradley Stoke ‘B’ in the final game (Warmley ‘B’ having pulled out) and needed a win to go through. It was end to end stuff but kept stopping with some very fussy refereeing over throw-ins. It was hit towards our corner and clearly crossed the line for a throw, but they played on and the ref’ missed it. It was hit into the middle and converted 0-1, and that ended our day.

Man of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Joby

FC CHIPPENHAM – 09/07/06

Blue Team – Joel, Callum, Jack, Sam B, Sam Black, Sam K, Joe & Cameron

Back out to Chippenham again, but this time it was early, with the team leaving at 7.30am. Due to the rearrangement, not so many players had been available so we ended up going with just one team. It was also World Cup Final day, but England had gone out in the quarter-finals, would we go further? I had my seven, but then Sharon said that Sam Black was sleeping over at Sam K’s and could he come along? So we went with eight. We started against the tournament favourites, FC Chippenham ‘A’, and we soon saw why, going down 0-2, although had we woken up, it may have been different. Next up was Team Bath Arsenal ‘B’ and a great goal from Joe put us into the lead, but some atrocious refereeing first gave them a penalty which Sam Black saved, then at the very end a free-kick which was deflected into the net 1-1. We played Melksham Park ‘A’ and needed to avoid defeat to stay in the tournament and this was not helped by going a goal down, but a well struck shot from Sam Black put us back in the game and it ended 1-1. The way the group went meant that we just had to win to qualify. Going 1-0 down from kick off didn’t help, but we rallied and a goal from Joe, one from Sam Black and a hat-trick from Cameron gave us a 5-1 win and put us into the quarters. We faced White Horse ‘A’ in an even match but they got the goal 0-1. Just like England! White Horse ‘A’ won the final 3-0.

Man of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Joe

DRG STAPLETON – 15/07/06

Orange Team – Jamie, Callum, Josef, Ethan, Jack, Joe & Joel

We went to this one with great hopes. Usually, ‘B’ Division teams go to ‘B’ Division tournaments and ‘A’ go to ‘A’. So our reaction was obvious when we saw that Yate Utd had brought two teams! Only six teams had entered so we had five games of 14 minutes. We lost 0-1 to Yate Utd ‘A’ then 0-3 to Yate Utd ‘B’. We outplayed Patchway Town, but despite hitting the post only drew 0-0. Then came DRG Stapleton ‘B’ and at last a goal (or few). Ethan got a hat-trick and Joe a brace as we emerged 5-1 winners. The last game we had to win to be third. There were no medals on this, but the knowledge that, behind Yate, we were the best there. Jack’s first goal of the season, and another from Joe saw us win 2-1. To put it in perspective, the Yate teams went on to win some games 9-0, 7-0 & 6-0. Yate ‘B’ were the winners.

Man of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Callum

OLDLAND ABBOTONIANS – 16/07/06

Orange Team – Joby, Jordan, Sam B, Max, Sam K, Jim & Mark

With Cheltenham being cancelled, this turned into our last tournament of the Summer. Three groups of six meant that top three gave us a chance of going through. It was a burning hot day and sun-cream was liberally applied. We started against the best team in the group, fought well, but Longwell Green ‘A’ got the goal 0-1. We then played Purton & Westbrook ‘B’, a team from Swindon. We were far the better team, but two major errors gave them goals and we went down again 0-2. We then played St Nicks ‘B’ and earned a 0-0 draw before finally seeing a goal with a 2-0 win against Cadbury Heath ‘A’, thanks to a penalty and a well taken shot, both by Max. Even at this point we needed Longwell to beat St Nicks and win our last game to come runners-up. Unfortunately an own goal gave St Nicks the draw they needed so we had to win to come third and still have a chance of going through, but although we battled hard, we could only get a 0-0 against Oldland Abbots ‘B’. Warmley won it.

Man of the Tournament – Chosen by the parent’s for a great display – Jordan

Afterthoughts…………………………………………………

This was a summer of what could have been! We lost in two semi’s, against teams we could have beaten, but we also beat Warmley ‘A’, and most impressive of all, put Bitton out of the Warmley tournament. Had Stapleton been all ‘B’ division teams I think we would have won it. We were poor at the Somerset FA tournament, and came up against too many ‘A’ Division sides at the Rovers Tournament.

What I hope however, is that all who played this summer had a fun time. Win, lose or draw, I enjoyed every minute and it was nice, even after losing games, or being eliminated from tournaments, to see the boys picking themselves up very quickly. Well done to all who came! Andy

U9’s – Appearances and Goals

P = Played in the Tournament

M = Man of the Tournament

G = Goals scored

P M G

Aaron Sutton 2 1 2

Callum Payne 9 2 1

Cameron Shorney 3 1 5

Daniel Churches 1 1

Ethan Chilcott 6 1 7

Jack Yeoman 9 1 1

James Baker 1

Jamie Charles 3

Jamie Godwin 6 1

Joe Bray 5 2

Joe Carreyett 7 1 8

Joel Harvey 4 1

Jordan Harris 2 1

Josef Hill 3

Josh Batt 5 2 9

Luke Andrews 2 2

Mark Gratton 2

Max Stevens 8 2 6

Oscar Hutchings 2

Sam Black 2 1 3

Sam Burgess 9 1

Sam Kipling 8 3 11

Sam Pike 1

Tom Johnson 4 1 5

U9’s Fixtures and Results

May 6 O Thornbury Quarter-Final

14 O Somerset FA Group Stage

20 O Hutton Group Stage

21 Y Chippenham Postponed

21 G Chippenham Postponed

27 B Fry’s Group Stage

27 G Fry’s Quarter-Final

Jun 4 O Clevedon Third

17 B Ingleside Semi-Final

17 R Ingleside Group Stage

24 O Westbury Quarter-Final

25 R Warmley Semi-Final

Jul 8 O BRSJ Group Stage

9 B Chippenham Quarter-Final

15 O DRG Stapleton Third

16 O Oldland Group Stage

Well done to everyone who participated, I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did, and I’ll see you next Summer!