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EASTER TOURNAMENT ROUND-UP 2006
Musselburgh Windsor U11's in
Blackpool Musselburgh U11's in Blackpool
MUSSELBURGH Windsor under-11s
returned from a very successful trip to Blackpool at Easter,
writes STUART TURNBULL. In his report of another triumph for
this huge youth set-up, he writes: "Musselburgh
Windsor Under 11's took three of their teams to compete in the
SCI Blackpool Football Tournament. The tournament was a great
success with all the teams giving a good account of themselves.
The boys were complimented on the style of football they played,
and other coaches were suitably impressed by Musselburgh
Windsor. The
strength of the under-11's was demonstrated by the fact that
Team Adidas won the tournament winning eight of their nine games
and the only team they failed to beat was Team Nike. The third
of the club teams, Umbro, scored some great goals and finished
a very commendable fourth."
The players and their supporters erupted with joy following that goal, but it was not over by any means and the Colts had to undergo another nervy penalty decider in which goalkeeper, Stuart Mackay, produced four ‘world-class’ saves as the Colts went on to qualify for the final on a 3-1 scoreline from the spot-kicks. The final was against Aylestone Park Youth Club, from Leicester, who had also qualified from the same group. The game ended 0-0 and moved into extra time. As the tension mounted Kyle Hogg sent a great pass through the centre of the Aylestone Park defence and David Bonnar coolly lobbed the ball into the net to put the Colts 1-0 ahead. In the second half of extra time, Aylestone Park squared the game at 1-1 with an unstoppable shot in to the top corner of the net. Sadly, the Colts lost out in their third penalty decider which Aylestone won 4-2 to lift the trophy with Inveresk Colts finishing runners-up. Throughout the tournament, the Inveresk Colts players received the highest praise from other teams, referees and officials and ended the tournament undefeated. Their efforts were recognised when they were awarded the Fair Play award, which is decided by referees and officials. Winning this trophy quickly brought the smiles smile back to the faces of the disappointed Inveresk Colts players. At the presentation ceremony, they received their participation awards from football commentor Andy Townsend and received rapturous applause from the entire crowd as they walked onto the stage in their kilts. Overall the boys of Inveresk Colts produced a very impressive and skilful display of attacking football and were a credit to everybody involved. Well done, Inveresk Colts!”
The boys who flew the flag for
Scotland in Skegness were John Pearson, Kyle Hogg, David Bonnar,
Scott Chapman, Connor Good, Stuart Mackay, Aaron Dunsmore, Kyle
Lander and David Scobie.
AMONG the many youth club teams from the Eastern Region Youth FA were Currie Star under-14s, who were in England to take part in the Blackpool Cup. Club spokesman, Bill Smith, in his report said: “There were four groups of four teams, with games lasting 15 minutes each way.. The winners and runners-up from each group qualified for the Blackpool Cup, while the third and fourth places sides played in the Challenge Cup. Currie played Culter from Aberdeen in their opening game. Currie Star started brightly and had several chances to score but could not make their early pressure count. In the second half, Culter kept Currie Star defence in our own half and despite a dubious challenge on our goalkeeper, Culter deservedly went ahead. With no time left to reply, we lost 1-0. In our second game against Lakewood Athletic, we got off to a fantastic start and within a few minutes, Calum Gordon picked up the ball just outside the box, jinked past the defender and slotted it away past the keeper for the first goal. Straight from the kick off we were back on top again. A good passing movement found Michael Smith on the edge of the box. A sweet strike form Michael found the bottom corner of the net for 2-0. The third goal came from a great run by Gregg Smith. He tricked his way past the defender to the bye line and smashed the ball in off the bar from what appeared an impossible angle. The floodgates appeared to have opened and it wasn’t long before Jamie Mohammed found himself just outside the box. A snapshot from Jamie went straight through the goalie's hands for a 4-0 half-time lead. Chance after chance followed including a penalty miss but Currie Star just could not score again. Currie Star committed too many players forward and gaps were created. Lakewood Athletic scored against the run of play and then were given a dubious penalty. The penalty was scored with the final touch of the match. Currie Star had held on but knew the lack of goals in the second half could prove to be our downfall in the Blackpool Cup. In our third game was against Glentoran FC, Currie Star had to win to qualify for the later stages of the Blackpool Cup. We made a great start and pressurised Glentoran in their half. Currie Star created several glorious chances but could not score. It was the same story in the second half and Glentoran held on for 0-0. Currie Star had missed out on their chance of the Blackpool Cup on goal difference. Incredibly, Glentoran went on to win the Blackpool Cup beating Bonnyrigg Rose in the final. Currie Star players were disappointed at being out of the Blackpool Cup but picked themselves up for the quarter final of the Challenge Cup against Caherdavin Celtic. Unbelievably, Caherdavin Celtic did not turn up for the game and the referee awarded the tie to Currie Star. The semi final was against Knightswood FC. The game was pretty much a stalemate – the chance of a potential final seemed to make all the players on both teams nervous. The game finished 0-0 and went to a penalty shoot-out. The players were nervous but we managed to get five volunteers for the penalties. Currie Star goalkeeper Dean Montgomery made two great saves but we missed two penalties ourselves and it finished 3-3 after 5 spot-kicks. In sudden death, Michael Melville tucked the ball away to put us ahead. Montgomery then brought off another impressive save to win the game and put us into the final – an all-Scottish affair against Gleniffer Thistle from Paisley. Both teams were really up for the final and it was end-to-end stuff. Early on Michael Smith had a chance from the edge of the box but he waited too long to get his strike away and the chance was lost. Gleniffer also had their fair share of chances but yet again the game finished 0-0. It went to penalties again but this time the boys didn’t seem as nervous. Montgomery saved the first penalty. We scored two to go 2-1 ahead but the tide turned as we then missed two penalties to give Gleniffer the advantage. Gleniffer then had the chance to score to win the cup but luckily for us they hit the post and their chance was gone. Jamie Mohammed stepped up to level the score at 3-3 and we were into a sudden death yet again. Gleniffer took the first penalty which was fantastically saved by Montgomery. Captain Chris Inglis stepped up to score the spot-kick that won us the Challenge Cup. It was a fantastic win for Currie Star! Both teams played well in the final and commiserations go to Gleniffer. The win was a terrific achievement for Currie Star but in addition to this Currie Star were very proud to be awarded the Fair Play Award for the tournament. It just goes to show sometimes the good guys win. “ Bill Smith and Colin Ritchie were the team coaches of the triumphant squad of Robert Wilson, Jamie Mohammed, Gregg Smith, James Higgins, Eion Swan, Chris Inglis, Innes Arthur, Yemi Adeloye, Jamie Stables, Jamie Lockhart, Farzad Izadi, Alex Cork, Calum Gordon, Dean Montgomery, Michael Smith, Michael Melvile. TYNECASTLE FC under-12s showed their class on a European stage when they won the Tropheo Mediterraneo in Barcelona, writes COLIN KIDD. The tournament was one of a series played in Barcelona over the Easter break which in total were supported by over 15 countries and attracted 6,000 boys and coaches. Tynecastle was up against 14 other teams in the under-12s age group with matches played over three days. Conditions were perfect for Tyncastle’s style of touch football with 20 degree temperatures, sunshine, and good grass surfaces. The first stage of the competition was a group format and Tynecastle’s section had a true international flavour with teams from Italy, England, Sweden and France. The group matches took up the first 2 days and Tynecastle emerged as one of the semi-finalists. Although by the end the hot conditions had taken its toll on several of the boys. The boys were cheered on by a large group of parents who had made the trip. In the semi-finals, Tynecastle were up against Danish team SKJold Birkirod. Tynecastle were on top for almost the whole match but couldn’t find the back of the net. With five minutes to go, finally they scored and it looked like they were on their way to the final. However, a football match isn’t over until the final whistle and with the last kick of the game and from a rare attack SKJold equalised. This took the teams into a penalty shoot-out. Cool heads were needed and when the Tynecastle boys were asked to volunteer to take the spot kicks there was no shortage of hands in the air. The boys confidence was justified as Crosbie, Lockhart, and McLaren drilled home the first three penalties for Tynecastle giving the Danish keeper no chance. In between, Tynecastle keeper McBride saved two Danish penalties, giving Forsyth the chance to win the semi-final for Tynecastle with the fourth kick. He made no mistake and Tynecastle went through to the final.
The boys were calmer than many professionals during the
penalty shoot – something that can’t describe their coaches
Gary Mackay and Colin Kidd who aged 10 years as the drama
unfolded. It was a hard way for any under-12s team to lose
a semi-final and Tynecastle sympathies went out to the
Danish boys especially the penalty takers who were
distraught. That win set up an all-Scottish final against
Barrhead. Barrhead took an early lead but Tynecastle
replied with four goals running out clear winners in the
end. Barrhead showed great sportsmanship; applauding
Tynecastle from the pitch and putting a saltire flag around
Tynecastle captain Lewis Crosbie’s shoulders as he led his
squad up for the trophy.
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