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At the weekend St.Albans City Youth hosted the 1st Hertfordshire Disability Football festival at Highfield Park with 10 Teams included. Other teams wanted to join us but had to be kept in reserve and will be included next year.

Maldon Town
Waltham Forest
Hitchin Town A and B
AFC Kempston
Hammersmith and Fulham Special Olympics
Leacroft Legends
Felham Bees
Southwark FC
St Albans City Youth FC

St Albans B started strongly with a 4-1 win over Hitchin after a good team performances topped off by the goals of John Bowie. St.Albans A's opening game was against Feltham Bees. City dominated the game cruising to a 9-0 win with captain Anthony Roche scoring a brilliant opening goal from 15 yards on his way to a hatrick. Their second game was against the newly formed St.Albans B, with St.Albans A coming out on top with a 2-1 win, despite the loss of Roche who broke his arm during the game! St Albans B also secured a win over Feltham before losing to Leacroft Legends. St.Albans A had another good 7-0 win against Hitchin B, followed by a 2-2 draw against the strong Leacroft Legends side. This result left St.Albans A top of their group, by the slimmest of margins - having scored one more goal than Legends in the group stage.

After finishing third in group two St Albans B played Hitchin Town A who had finished third in group one. Despite a brave effort, St Albans B sadly lost 2-0. However all St Albans B should be proud of what they achieved, having been put together at five minutes notice before the tournament started.

St.Albans A met Hammersmith and Fulham Special Olympics in a tough final. Fulham opened brightly, passing the ball quickly and almost scoring the opening goal with a close effort. City's manager tweaked the tactics and Paul Spinks and Ben Groom took control, stopping Hammersmith and Fulham's quick counter attacks, whilst keeper Toby Smith saved shot after shot. On 5 mins Paul Pilley opened the scoring for St.Albans with a well struck low drive. Both teams missed good chances before Joe Strohm sealed a 2-0 City win with a brilliantly worked goal.

St.Albans Disability Officer Daniel Rogers said “both my teams worked hard and I am proud of all of the players who represented St.Albans City Youth Disability in the festival. My thoughts are with my captain who broke his arm and I hope he is back for the beginning of our league season. Everyone who took part were winners and it was good to see all the teams enjoying their day. I hope this tournament will become an annual event“.

Unfortunately Maldon Town had to pull out of the festival as some of their players were involved in a road traffic accident and everyone's best wishes go to them. To fill the gap St.Albans made up a second team at short notice from their substitutes and squad members who had volunteered to help with the running of the festival.

Anthony Roche, the city captain, is recovering from a broken arm and hopes to be back for the start of the new season.

If any local players would like to join the St Albans City Youth Disability FC teams they should contact Daniel Rogers on 01727 762843. The St Albans disability section caters for players of all ages