Report by skipper Gary Wildsmith:
Our first tournament of the year saw us travel to St Neots. The tournament was competed for by 7 teams. Each team playing 4 games in a straight league format. The top 4 teams then competing in Semi Finals.
Our games were as follows :-
Enfield
Huntingdon
Bedford
Rushden
The pitches were a good size however they were let down by some rather large goal areas, which meant goals were going to hard to come by.
Our opening fixture was a well competed 0-0 draw. Few chances were created and those that created were handled well by the goalkeepers. This pretty much became the theme for the day in the other matches as well.
Our second game again saw an oft repeated offence of defender in the area resulting in a penalty. Gary Wildsmith dispatching the chance. Paul Archer then added a well taken second to give us a 2-0 win.
Another tight game against a well organised Bedford team resulted in another long distance shooting game. A well taken goal from a tight angle by Gary Wildsmith proving the only difference.
The result pretty much guaranteed our qualification from the league on 7 points and no goals conceded.
Our last game against Rushden proved another tough affair.Although we had the majority of the play and shots we couldn’t beat their keeper and the game ended 0-0.
This meant we qualified for the knockout phase semi finals in second place on 8 points. Sleaford has taken top spot with 10 points.
Our Semi final was against a strong Wisbech side. Both teams defended well with few chances created. A long range effort from Will Barrett proving the difference. A well played out win meant we would face Sleaford in the final.
A tight game ensued. Neither team creating many chances. Unfortunately two encroachments into the penalty area cost us dearly. Both penalties dispatched by Sleaford were the only goals we conceded all day. A testament to the strong team play and excellent goalkeeping of Paul Newiss.
Well done to all those that took part and another piece of silverware for the cabinet.
A well organised and refereed tournament was let down by the goal areas.
Group section
d0-0 v Enfield
w2-0 v Huntingdon (Wildsmith, Archer)
w1-0 v Bedford (Wildsmith)
d0-0 v Rushden
Semi
w1-0 v Wisbech (Barrett)
Final
l0-2 v Sleaford
Squad:
P Wilkinson, P Newiss, P Archer, L Tillen, G Wildsmith, W Barrett, J Norris.