Haddenham
Youth
Football
Club

Risborough Tournament Report � Sunday 20th May 2007

Over recent weeks we�d been coaching our boys and girls towards the full size game and having two full matches already under their belts, Mark and I decided that a rapid re-adjustment at Saturday�s training was required to prepare them for Sunday�s six-a-side tournament at Risborough.

On the day of the tournament, we arrived at the ground nearly an hour prior to kick off but we used the time to adjust to the conditions. To the players, it was like walking back into their first school. The pitch was so small!

It was pretty fast too as the sun had also decided to make an appearance.

Having emphasised the importance of quick goals (due to 8 min games) our first match against Penn & Tylers Green Utd went exactly to plan.

Two goals in a couple of minutes from Samuel Dickson and a third from James Nicholson wrapped up the game at 3-0.

The next match against our hosts Risborough Colts, went just as well. James Nicholson was first to score from a clever �one-two� with Cameron Barr (sub for Sam Dickson).

Ed Bains got into the mix in a goalmouth scramble to put away the second.

The most spectacular moment of the game came when Alice Hassall (our secret weapon) launched a shot from distance near the touchline that flew through the air over the goalkeeper and into the net. Even the opposition�s women could not help but cheer the superb goal by the only girl in the tournament!

The game ended (3-1) after a late goal from Risborough in the dying seconds.

In the third game against Penn & Tylers Green City Matthew Shaw and Sam Dickson replaced Blake & James. Ed moved from defence to take Blake�s midfield attack role. After a lot of effort from our players, Ed Bains superbly headed the ball home from an excellent Cameron Barr cross.

Penn City, having failed to beat our goalie William Davidson, was suddenly awarded a penalty for handball just inside our area. They took the opportunity to level the score to 1-1 and that�s how it ended.

The fourth game against Holtspur Hurricanes saw Blake and James return to their previous positions with Matt & Ed guarding the rear.

Our boys pressured Holtspur, challenging every single ball. Goal opportunities were not easy to come by in this game but Blake and Ed gave solidity to our midfield and defence.

Finally, the breakthrough came during our third corner of the game.

Samuel Dickson lifted the ball into the goalmouth where James Nicholson produced what can only be described as an Alan Shearer style header into the far corner of the net. An absolutely fantastic goal!

The game ended at 1-0 to HYFC.

That marked the end of the qualifying round. I walked over to the results tent and there it was: HYFC top of the group with 14 points � our nearest rivals with 10!

The next match, the semi final against Penn Utd was to test everyone�s nerves to the max!

We�d set out quite confidently having already beaten Penn Utd 3-0 in our first group match. However, this was no walkover as the games were now 7 minutes each way and Penn Utd were as determined as us to get through to the final.

Matt Shaw caused trouble on the left wing on a couple of occasions until he suffered an injury from a hard tackle late in the first half.

At half time subs Alice & Cameron took Matt & Ed�s position at the back.

Despite two good efforts from HYFC from corners it was stalemate at the end of normal time.

We were now faced with extra time of 3 minutes each way sudden death (Golden Goal). After this, if still 0-0 then it was the dreaded penalty shoot-out!

I gathered the squad together for a quick briefing reassuring them that they could win it in the six minutes that remained. After all we had scored 3 in the first match against them in the same time span.

For the extra period Ed came back on in place of Cameron.

From the outset our team were creating chances but the first half ended at 0-0.

In the second period everyone pushed forward as far as possible.

William Davidson, our goalkeeper, had to be quick off his line sprinting to make a superb interception and beating a Penn attacker to the ball on the edge of his area!.

HYFC piled relentless pressure onto Penn�s defence and goal.

Blake took a long free-kick from well inside our half to find Ed on the far post but it just skimmed the bar. In those last three minutes we threw everything at them but still the ball would not go in. At one point there were three clearances off the line from shots by three different HYFC players in quick succession after a Blake long throw.

The whistle blew and we were faced with the penalty shoot-out.

I gathered them all together and asked who they thought should take them. James Nicholson (Capt) was first to volunteer. James suggested Blake and he accepted. Samuel was hesitant at first but decided to join at James�s request. I left it to James to sort out the order and walked off the pitch.

The look of anxiety on all our parent�s faces reflected the tension that we were all feeling.

As I write this, I have just received an email from James that describes the situation from his perspective�

�The highlight for me was the penalty shootout this was to decide if we would be in the final. We won the toss and I decided to let them take the first penalty. They stepped up and struck it into the back of the net one nil to them then I stepped up to take our first penalty. I called this the walk of fate I ran up and whacked the ball into the bottom corner. 1-1. They stepped up and scored their penalty 2-1. Then Blake had his penalty he ran up and blasted the ball into the back of the net 2-2. They stepped up to take their final penalty they smacked the ball and it was about to go in and William raised his hand the ball hit his hand hit the cross bar then it bounced on the line the ball did not cross the line this meant if Samuel scored the next penalty we would be in the final. Samuel stepped up ran up kicked the ball down the middle of the goal the goalkeeper dived to the left and missed the ball this meant that we were in the final. We were all screaming with delight.�

I ran towards our team with arms outstretched and in one big leaping hug we all celebrated the victory. The sheer delight in the children�s faces, some with tears of joy in their eyes is a picture that will always remain in my mind� a magical moment and we were through to the final!

Mark and I congratulated each other and we reflected on the game. Without doubt, our kids rightly deserved to go through as we had dominated the game.

The Final against Holtspur Hurricanes began with Matt and Alice off the field.

We held our own during a fairly tight first half that ending at 0-0.

In the second half Matthew Shaw came on to replace Cameron at the back. Just like Cam he enjoys going forward whenever possible and was very effective chasing everything he could. Blake�s Herculean throws continued to cause problems for the opposition especially in the goal mouth which he reached with ease from the touchline.

Then about midway through the second half Blake receiving the ball in his own half on the right touchline, found himself with a little space and time. He took his opportunity and let fly with a long range special. It glided over everyone and straight into the net! Just what I�d been asking him to do. Fabulous stuff!

The score remained 1-0 and we celebrated again. In the early evening sunshine the only creatures that soared higher, were the Red Kites in the sky above us.

Our kids had done it! And how they deserved it too. They out played every team in most aspects of the game. We passed better keeping the ball on the ground, closed down effectively and won just about every ball in the air.

The statistics say it all. In the six matches we had scored 9 goals (not including penalty shoot out) with only 2 scored against (including the penalty).

The bravery and skill of our penalty takers and goalkeeper under the captaincy of James Nicholson was a special episode in a tournament where commitment from all our players was absolute. As a manager, I could not have asked for more and as a parent, Blake�s goal in the final was icing on the cake.

As the team went up to collect their winner�s shields I felt so proud of them all.

For one person that day it was a second celebration. Alice, just prior to the tournament had come third overall in a field of 3,000 runners at the Waddesdon 5km run!

What more do you want?

Carlo

My thanks to:

Coach: Mark Nicholson

Stats reporter: Sue Faulds

Parental supporters

HYFC Squad:

William Davidson (GK)

Matt Shaw

Cameron Barr

Ed Bains

Alice Hassall

Blake Faulds

Samuel Dickson

James Nicholson (Capt.)