CORSHAM – 02/06/07

 

Orange Team – Joby, Callum, Sam K (Captain), Aaron, Max, Josh & Joe

 

Seven players was reduced to six with a last minute phone call, however a fortuitous meeting with Sam Sutton meant that Aaron restored our numbers.  We went to Corsham with high hopes and a strong team.  How far could we go?  We were the only team out of the 24 there, to come from Bristol.  Four groups of six, with the top four from each group progressing to the last 16.  We knew we were going to go far!  We met Team Bath Arsenal Colts in our first game and were warned that they were one of the best teams around.  Despite a second half fight back, we went down 0-1.  Next were Trowbridge Town Youth ‘A’.  We didn’t think they looked that good, but again we went down 0-1.  Next up were the group whipping boys Chippenham Town Youth Yellow and at last a victory, Aaron charging in a corner, and Max chipping in from 20 yards gave us 2-0.  Next up were AFC Corsham Jaguars and a touch of good luck.  Two of their players were injured which meant they were one short!  One team dominated the game, and it was no surprise when that domination led them to score in the final minute.  Shame that it wasn’t us 0-1.  Finally we played Frome Town Youth ‘A’ and a win would still see us through in that 4^th spot.  We did play better than they, but they broke away in the last minute and got the goal 0-1!  Team Bath Arsenal Colts, then team who had narrowly beaten us in the first game, went on to win it 2-1 in the final.

 

 

TWYFORD SPARTANS – 03/06/07

 

Orange Team – Jamie, Sam B, Jack, Sam K, Josh, Chilly (Captain) & Joe

 

I love my tournaments, and I love going to meet new teams.  We managed to get hold of a minibus and everyone piled in!  All the way to Tiverton, an hour and a half’s drive with Jamie sat next to me pulling strange faces!  28 teams were spread across four groups.  Us, 25 teams from Devon and two teams from….. Deerswood!  Believe it or not, they had the same idea as us!  Our first game was against Tiverton Town.  Many said that they were the favourites and we soon saw why.  Crisp one touch football saw us clear off the line three times, however they only scored one, but went on to score more against others 0-1.  Next up were Brixington Blues.  We started well with Sam K hammering in a goal; however a power blast left us all stunned as it flew in off of the far post, and that was how it remained 1-1.  Next were Crediton ‘A’ and a chance to start winning.  We dominated the game, but they broke away two minutes from time and got the important goal 0-1.  Next we played Wedmore Athletic, a team who had been destroyed in every game thus far.  We went a goal down but came back thanks to a goal from Joe.  They shot from kick off and it crept in under the bar, but we laid siege to their goal and Sam K got the deserved equaliser.  Unfortunately we just ran out of time 2-2.  Already out of the tournament, we finally won a game, beating of all teams Deerswood ‘B’ thanks to a near post shot from Joe 1-0.  The last game was our biggest defeat, but to be fair all three strikes were wonder goals and left our players speechless as Okehampton tore through us 0-3.  This was made worse by Josh heading a high goal-kick, but catching it on the bridge of his nose.  He was stunned, and then went dizzy in his head and shaky in his legs.  A trip to the medics saw no real damage, however luckily Paul & Alex Godwin had come down later in their car, and so were able to give him a quick and comfortable drive home ahead of the minibus.  Andy had promised a burger each if we either won the tournament or scored four in a game.  As they had managed four in the whole tournament we stopped at Taunton Deane Services and it was a chocolate bar each instead!  Not the most successful tournament, but one which the boys really enjoyed thanks in main to the fun they had together in the bus!  Chaddlewood Miners Blues, a team from Plymouth, beat Exmouth in the final on penalties.

 

 

RODBOROUGH – 09/06/07

 

Orange Team – Joby, Jack, Sam B, Max, Sam K (Captain), Tom & Aaron

 

Annoyingly, Andy had to work in Portsmouth so was initially unable to watch this; however he got away at 12.15pm and got to the tournament at 2.15pm, missing just the first game.  The boys were led instead up to Stroud by Mark, but encountered all sorts of problems!  They were separated on the way having left at 12.30pm, which would have meant arrival at 1.15pm, however three players arrived at 2.00pm, and had time to put on boots and shin pads before running onto the pitch for their first game.  Having only filled six spots by Friday night, Andy decided to go with Aaron again, and it was nice to see Sam, as well as Aaron’s sister and his Nan.  There were just seven teams at the tournament in one big group, with Gold Medals and a Cup for the winners, Silver Medals for the Runners-up and Bronze for the rest.  With all of the confusion of getting there, it was perhaps no surprise that they drew their first game against Rodborough Bears ‘A’, although their ‘keeper made at least five outstanding saves to deny us 0-0.  Next up were Slimbridge Crusaders, and a shot through the crowd past an unsighted Joby rocked us, but we came storming back with goals from Tom & Aaron 2-1.  Afterwards we faced Slimbridge Knights, and goals from Sam K & Aaron meant we won 2-0.  We next played Rodborough Bears ‘B’, and this was a much more comfortable affair with Tom, Max & Aaron making it 3-0.  Two games left and the two teams who could still stop us.  Rodborough Red Eagles had won their first three games, however we were number two of a three game run of defeats with Tom getting two and Aaron finishing it off 3-0.  Finally Rodborough Black Eagles.  We knew that we had to lose by four goals or more to ruin the day, however we still told the boys that we had to win or else.  It did the trick and Max’s deflected shot won us the game, and with it the tournament 1-0.  Slimbridge Knights were the only team to score against us, and fittingly they were the runners-up.  2007 Winners

 

 

ST NICKS – 16/06/07

 

Orange Team – Joby, Sam B, Mark, Max (Captain), Josh, Sam K & Chilly

 

We got to St Nicks via a bit of a detour as Chipping Sodbury High Street was closed for their fair.  We had only entered this at the last minute as the ‘A’ team Manager had phoned me 3 teams short wondering if I would take one, which I agreed to.  Looking at the fixtures, we could see that it was going to be hard.  Six teams, two from the ‘A’ division, one from the ‘B’, one a good team from Cheltenham and the team who had just won both the Corsham and the Bath Arsenal tournaments!  And us!  Four groups of six, with only the top team going through.  We opened against the host’s strongest team, and after a battling performance, came away with a creditable 0-0, however it made winning all the more imperative.  We started to do so in our next game with Chilly firing low into the left corner past the Longwell Green ‘B’ ‘keeper 1-0.  Next up were YMCA Warriors, and Max secured the win with a battling run and shot past the stranded ‘keeper 1-0.  Next up were Avon Athletic and a real test.  To be fair they outplayed us and deservedly got the goal near the end 0-1.  With goal difference in our favour, we knew that all we had to do was beat Team Bath ‘A’ to go through.  A breakaway goal virtually in the first minute from Chilly gave us the lead, and we held on grimly until the final whistle 1-0.  Through ahead of Avon by one goal!  Andy had to go at this point to the Mother-in-law’s 80^th Birthday Meal, but left the Holy Trinity of Dick, Dave & Jon in charge!  In the semi-final we faced Lydiard Youth ‘A’, who had already put out Yate Utd ‘A’.  We gave them a tough game, but a wonder goal saw them progress into the final and us go home, although we gave them a real battle in the second half, without finding the net 0-1.  They beat Lydiard Youth ‘B’ 3-1 in the final to win it.  Losing to the eventual winners isn’t bad!

 

 

INGLESIDE – 17/06/07

 

Orange Team – Joel, Callum (Captain), Jack, Dan, Spike, Tom & Joe

 

We turned up for this one and had mixed feelings about the groups.  Whilst Bitton, Yate & Warmley were absent, we still had three first division teams, three second division teams as well as FDS & Lawrence Weston who had both beaten us this season.  Our hopes were raised however by the fact that we felt we were in the easier group.  Traditionally slow starters, we were lucky to get the weakest team in Ingleside ‘A’, although it took a last minute goal by Jack to win 1-0.  Next were Coalpit Heath, and this time it was Tom who did the honours 1-0.  Our third game was DRG Stapleton ‘A’, and a one-on-one Joe goal, followed by Dan getting onto the best defence splitting pass of the day from Tom saw us home 2-0.  FDS ‘A’ were very lethargic and Tom again got the winner 1-0.  Four games in and four wins meant we were already through, which was lucky as we had the two hardest games to come.  A tough game against Lawrence Weston saw us honours even 0-0, before we finally lost to Henbury ‘A’, going a goal down, then pulling it back, only to give it away again in the dying seconds.  Tom got the goal, but it wasn’t enough 1-2.  Through as runners-up, equal on goal difference, but one less goal scored!  FDS ‘B’ faced us in the quarter final.  We failed to tackle and allowed them a twenty yard piledriver which gave Joel no chance.  Things got worse however as Tom had to come off at half-time injured.  It was looking difficult now, but Tom recovered during the half and went back on, and it was his powerblast that the ‘keeper couldn’t hold and Dan was there to get the equaliser.  Three minutes of extra-time couldn’t separate us so it ended 1-1.  Three penalties each:  Spike missed, they scored, Tom scored, Joel saved, Joe missed, Joel saved – sudden death.  Callum missed, Joel saved, Jack missed, they missed, Dan missed, Joel saved so Joel had to have a go.  He hit his hard and high to the right to put us ahead, then pushed their shot over the bar to put us through 2-1 on penalties.  Into the semi-final to face FDS ‘A’ again, with them riding high after putting Keynsham out 3-0 in the previous round.  It was a hard fought game, and if I am honest saw some unfair touches from some of the opposition, both Joe and Spike getting elbows in the face and Spike just pushed off the pitch at one stage!  Tom however got the important goal which left a few FDS players refusing to shake our hand at the end 1-0.  Into the final and Lawrence Weston again.  Early on Joe floated a corner to the back post and Tom headed down and in, and we held onto that lead to claim overall victory 1-0,  2007 Winners

 

 

WARMLEY – 24/06/07

 

Orange Team – Joby, Sam B (Captain), Callum, Tom, Sam K, Max, Josh, Sam Black & Chilly

 

A reduced tournament with three groups of five rather than the usual four groups.  It meant that as well as the top two from each group, the two best third places would also go through.  We had reached the semi-final here last year, how would we do this time?  We started out strongly against Bishport ‘B’ with first Max then Sam K giving us an opening win 2-0.  Next up were CWRT Rawlin, a team from Caerphilly.  We battered them for ten minutes but were unable to find the breakthrough.  In the dying seconds an athletic dive to his left kept us in the game though as they broke and created their only chance of the game 0-0.  We then played Cadbury Heath ‘B’ and again took our chances through Tom and Max 2-0.  Due to goal difference, a win would put us as group winners, a draw or loss would mean runners-up.  We faced Henbury ‘A’ and both teams created chances, however Sam Black took one of ours near the end and so we won the group and were unbeaten 1-0.  Into the quarter-finals and a very hard draw.  Warmley had won the ‘A’ division this season and at the tournament we were facing their ‘B’ team.  Both teams created chances, although we created more, but were unable to score.  Six more minutes of extra-time couldn’t separate us so it went to penalties.  They scored their first and Sam Black scored ours.  They then missed their second and saw Tom score.  Then they missed their third and watched Chilly score.  They had to score to stay in and did so.  Then Max could win it for us, but saw his penalty saved.  Then Joby could win it for us, but they scored, so Sam K had to score or go to sudden-death.  He despatched his with confidence, 0-0 but 4-3 on penalties.  Into the semi-final and the hardest match of all, Warmley ‘A’.  It was honours even after 10 minutes and it was about 30 seconds from the end of the next six that they headed in from a corner 0-1.  Our boys were magnificent, and it was no disgrace to lose to the ‘A’ team of the ‘A’ Division winners.  Warmley went on to beat Cadbury Heath ‘A’ 1-0 in the final.

 

 

ASHTON BOYS – 14/07/07

 

Orange Team – Chilly, Callum, Sam B, Jack (Captain), Tom, Josh & Joe

 

Andy had entered two teams, but had only had seven positive replies, none of whom were ‘keeper’s.  The Juniors took over one of the slots, and Chilly went in goal for our seven.  Andy was due back from holiday on this day, however had elected to come back a day early as it had promised to be sunny, and five hours in a hot car didn’t really appeal!  Mark had originally been down to run the team, so Andy relaxed and let him carry on.  Looking at the groups, St Aldhelms were the only team here from either the ‘A’ or the ‘B’ division so we had to have a real chance.  We started well, Joe rounding the ‘keeper to beat Ashton ‘B’ 1-0.  Next up was a tough test against Lawrence Weston.  I felt we were better, however a draw was a result that we were happy to take 0-0.  Next were Broadwalk ‘B’, the team who as under 9’s had lost all 22 league games and let in over 200 goals.  They had improved as U10’s, but surely no problem?  Again I felt we were better, but they worked so hard and hit the ball powerfully, one of which Chilly was diving right to cover as it hit Sam’s foot and deflected the other way.  Full credit to Chilly, he swivelled and grabbed it, but it was adjudged to have crossed the line and that was how it stayed 0-1.  We needed results to go our way to have a chance of going through, however they didn’t and we were out.  Still St Aldhelms ‘A’ to play, and although never outplayed, they did get two goals 0-2.  The Juniors won their group and played Broadwalk ‘B’ in the semi.  10 minutes plus three more golden goal couldn’t separate them, however James Moore hit the post with just seconds to go and so penalties.  Both teams slotted their allotted three in the net, Jack Dancey, Ben Watt and Gideon Stone for the Juniors, so it was sudden death where James again was the unfortunate player.  Broadwalk ‘B’ playing Ashton ‘A’ in the final was not the game a lot of people expected, however Ashton ‘A’ went on to win 1-0.

 

 

DEERSWOOD YOUTH – 28/07/07

 

Orange Team – Joby (Captain), Callum, Jack, Max, Tom, Aaron & Joe

 

This one had been postponed from June 30^th so fell after our End of Season Party, however I decided to go ahead anyway.  Groans all around when we arrived and saw that Bitton were here, however, if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best!  And what a start, Deerswood ‘A’ in the first game and we were 0-2 down by halftime and looking at going home after just five minutes.  Andy made a tactical switch and went more attacking, and it soon paid dividends as Tom got a hat-trick and Joe finished the comeback with a lovely flick off of the outside of his boot 4-2.  The second match was against a strong looking team from Wales called Rhoose Rangers and although I felt we shaded the match, it ended honours even 0-0.  After that was another team from Wales, Llanedin Bulldogs.  I haven’t seen such a one-sided game in a long time, but they threw everything in the way of us and we just couldn’t force the ball into the net 0-0.  Results went in our favour meaning that as long as we didn’t lose by three goals, we would be through.  That was against Bitton ‘B’, but they did manage one 0-1.  Through to the semi-final against Bitton ‘A’, winners of the other group.  We played 14 minutes of normal time, followed by six minutes of extra time and nothing could separate us, although to be fair and honest, despite even possession, we created more chances than they did, and should have won the game, but it ended 0-0.  Penalties, five each:  They scored, Joe scored, they scored, Tom scored, they scored, Callum missed, they scored, so Joby had to score or else we were out!  He buried his in the net, but then still had to stop them or else we were out.  They blazed over the bar, so Aaron had to score to take it to sudden-death, which he did!  I was trying to persuade either Max or Jack to take the sudden-death penalty, so missed them blaze another one over.  Jack bravely stepped forward with the advice “Toe punt it as hard as you can”.  He hit it, the net bulged, and we were into the final 5-4 on penalties!  Bitton ‘B’ were our final opponents, but it was just a bridge too far!  At Warmley last year, we put out Bitton ‘A’ on penalties and lost the semi against Bitton ‘B’ 0-2.  This time it was the final but the result was the same.  It should have been 0-1, but with seconds dying we pushed everything forward and they caught us on the break 0-2.  To be fair again, this time I felt they deserved it as they had better possession and passed the ball around much better.  We did have a chance at 0-1 to equalise, but a scramble on the line saw it clear.  2007 Runners-Up.

 

 

Afterthoughts…………………………………………………

Wow, our most successful Summer yet.  What a great effort from all of the boys involved.  A lot less tournaments than usual, however with the League finishing so late, and our Tournament being cancelled, I suppose it’s only to be expected.

 

After two very lethargic performances, we picked up the pace massively to win our second ever tournament, which was a great experience, and well done to Mark there, who ran the team.  A hard tournament at St Nicks saw us put out a few teams from higher divisions, but eventually Lydiard were a team too far, however a semi-final in such a tough group was a massive achievement and they went on the win it.  Ingleside was a great day, and a group of boys who have played together all year, showed how much that can be an advantage by playing at a consistently high level to claim another victory!  Warmley is always a tough day, but we fought our hardest and it was no disgrace to lose to the eventual winners, something we had done the week before at St Nicks!  Ashton was a bit surreal, with St Aldhelms from the ‘A’ division, as well as us, the Juniors and Lawrence Weston from the ‘C’ division, to see the final contested by two teams from the ‘D’ division irked a bit, as I felt we were more than capable of winning it.  To end the Summer with a final was a great feeling.  We did lose it, however getting there was a massive achievement, beating Bitton ‘A’ on penalties again in the semi-final.

 

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

 

U10’s – Appearances and Goals

 

P = Played in the Tournament

M = Man of the Tournament

G = Goals scored   

                          P            M           G

Aaron Sutton         3          3           5

Callum Payne        5          2           

Daniel Churches    1          1           2

Ethan Chilcott       4          1           2

Jack Yeoman         5          3           1

Jamie Godwin        1                       

Joe Bray               5          4           

Joe Carreyett        5          2           5

Joel Harvey           1          1           

Josh Batt              5                       

Mark Gratton         1                       

Max Stevens         5          2           6

Sam Black            1                      1

Sam Burgess         5          1           

Sam Kipling          5          2           4

Sam Pike              1          1           

Tom Johnson         5          3         13

 

U10’s Fixtures and Results

 

Jun  2   O   Corsham                         Group Stage

      3   O   Twyford                          Group Stage

      9   O   Rodborough                         Winners

     16   O   St Nicks                            Semi-Final

     17   O   Ingleside                             Winners

     24   O   Warmley                           Semi-Final

 

Jul 14   O   Ashton Boys                    Group Stage

     28   O   Deerswood                     Runners-Up

 

 

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