|
| |
HOLLAND 2006
More Pictures
Great Tour for Under 14's South
 What
a start to the Maastricht 2006 tournament for St.Albans City
Youth South U14's. The team overcame their Danish opponents
Silkebiorg IF 5-1 with fine contributions from all members of
the 13 man squad. Slick passing and tireless running for each
other were the hallmarks of this performance and it was this
level of teamwork that enabled George Owens-Nash and Laurie
Coupar to score a brace apiece with Dante Slack adding to the
total.
The travelling
fans retired for refreshments full of euphoric hopes for a
'clean sweep' on the first day and a few glasses of local
hospitality.
These hopes were
duly dashed in the next game against AS Gamaches of France whose
attempts to come bottom of
the fair play league were boosted by the antics of their own
linesman and a referee who appeared to understand gallic threats
perfectly. There was a rumour that he answered to Pierre and was
in fact French. Needless to say our heroes became unsettled and
lost 2-1 with George scoring the goal.
George was again
the scorer of the goal as City went down 3-1 in the last game of
the day to a Dutch side SPL WVV28. In difficult conditions the
Dutch team showed more speed in attack and City did not quite
match their impressive performance of earlier in the day.
However, the team was gelling well (and not just the hair) on
and off the pitch, and after some very social libations the
travelling fans decided that there would be no stopping the team
on the second day!
 The
weather for day 2 was more what we were used to! Rain, rain and
more rain. We arrived at our pitch 5 mins before kick off and
following a few words from Clarke the boys took to the pitch.
The game was one
sided however St.Albans failed to take their chances and were
punished when a dubious free kick was converted. City came back
and equalised from a sweet goal from Ryan Hearne. Game on.
Chances came and went for city and with two seconds on the clock
the referee overruled the linesman and let george through on
goal. He rounded the keeper and put the ball in the back of the
net. 2-1 to city.
Next up was RSPV
Rapid from Maastricht. a big tough side, however city were too
strong and scored three without reply. Another from george as
well as a superb goal from david shore and Laurie Coupar rounded
off an excellent team performance.
Our final match
was a potential banana skin against Silkeborg IF who we had
comprehensively beaten the day before. No such luck, a 2-0 score
line flattered the other side as George Owens-Nash took his
tally for the tournament to eight goals.
Overall a great
experience both on and off the pitch for this bunch of boys.
they are all looking forward to next year.
RUNNERS
UP SPOT FOR U12s EAST
The U12s East travelled to
Maastricht , Holland over the Easter Bank Holiday to compete in their
first ever European Tournament and finished a very creditable second in
the 14th Geusseltcup Tournament.
Playing 11 a side football on full
size pitches with matches lasting 25 minutes was a first for the City
boys but they soon adapted against strong European opposition.
First up on the Saturday was a
convincing 9-0 thrashing of Danish side Farevejle BK2 with goals for
Alex Goldstone 3, Howard Smith 2, Brandon Hargrave, Adam Luck, Tom
Owens-Nash and Sam Rogan.
City were soon brought back down
to earth in their second game going down 3-1 to a very skilful Vinding
SF side from Denmark. Alex Goldstone scoring City's consolation goal.
Third match renewed England vs.
Scotland rivalries with City defeating Lancraigs Boys Club from Glasgow
1-0 with a late goal from Brandon Hargrave.
 The
final game on Saturday produced a fine 3-0 win for City against local
Maastricht team Spcl WVV'28 with 2 goals for new signing Alex English
and 1 from Howard Smith.
City finished second in the group
qualifying them for the top group in the final stage.
On a very wet Sunday the City boys
kicked off their group against Dutch side Juventas - surely the biggest
U12 side in the world!!. In a tough physical battle City came out on top
1-0 after a deflected own goal.
Next up City renewed their
acquaintances with Glasgow team Lancraigs Boys Club but despite
dominating the game from start to finish City were unable to find a
break through and the scores finished level at 0-0.
City then faced Danish team
Vinding SF and despite dominating the first half the boys fell behind to
the opposition's only attack. Although City continued to press
throughout the second half they just couldn't find a way through and the
score remained at 1-0.
Last up were Farevejle BK1 from
Denmark where City produced a master class in pass and move football
with Niall McGowan showing his fabulous skills culminating in a 1-0
victory with Alex Goldstone scoring after a lovely through ball from
Adam Luck.
 So
a very creditable second place and a fine trophy for the City boys and a
great experience to compete against European opposition.
SQUAD:- Jack Estcourt, George
Martin, Sam Rogan, Harry Kentish, Connor Emerton, George Guest, Tom
Owens-Nash, George Wright, Alex English, Adam Luck, Niall McGowan, Alex
Goldstone, Brandon Hargrave, Howard Smith.
City Youth Girls win first European trophy
St Albans
City Girls made the club proud to come
2nd
More Pictures
 With
the Girls making their first tour over to Holland, all went down very
successfully for the team and the club. With a strong 20 girl team sent to
battle Europe not knowing what the other teams would be like. St Albans were
set against a Swiss, Dutch and 2 Danish teams playing 4 games on Saturday and
then again on the Sunday. City were lucky not to play in the first games and
were able to study the other teams and even change their game play.
City first game were against the Dutch side R.K.A.V.V.
With only playing 12 and a half minutes each way City set their sights on
attacking and all it took was just 52 seconds for City to take the lead
after Chloe MIchael through ball found Kelly Hancock who struck the ball
home. After that City played some very good football and should in the
second half made it two but Kelly Hancock shot wide as City won their first
game in the tournament 1-0.
City 2nd game were against a small size Danish team
Farevejle BK. City changed their team again to give the whole squad games
and it took just 6 minutes before Sofia Munoz neat turn struck the ball home
as City knew the Danish team were the weakest team in the tournament. 2
Minutes later city struck the second from Claire Brown and then Claudia
Hutton made it 3-0 a minute after that. It was Claire Brown who after add to
City lead after the break on 14 minutes. City then couldn't add to their
score but happy with a 4-0 win.
With 2 wins out of 2 and going against another Danish
side Vinding SF who would look to be a more of a challenge. It just took 26
seconds for City to score and win the game with a Natalie Burrows volley
into the roof of the net from edge of box to score the goal of the
tournament. Vinding SF did then pile on the pressure but by the second game
City were camp inside the Vinding SF half but unable to add to the lead as
City won 1-0.
City last game of the day were against Fussballverband
Zurich who were a team who pick the best players from districts of Zurich
and like City had won all their 3 games as well. From the start Zurich pile
on the pressure on City and had to thank great defending from Rebecca Atkins
and Rebecca Dolphin. Even Keeper Bethany Healy had to be quick off her line
to ensure city were still level. It took nearly 10 minutes before city
started to play and create a few chances. The game did end 0-0 to end a
great first day as in 2nd place level on points with top team Zurich and not
letting in a goal.
Day 2 and they started against once again against dutch
side R.K.A.V.V. city knew what they needed to do and it took all of the
first half before Jane Jardine struck the lead on the stroke of half time.
She then add another goal in the second half to help city win 2-0.
City next game would be the one that city knew a drew or
a win would ensure City would at least be runners up. Vinding SF change
their game play to play City. City didn't play their best and were unable to
break the Danish side down as Bethany Healy were never trouble as City drew
0-0 and knew their last game would be the cup final to see who comes first.
Squad: Bethany Healy, Jessica Hoare,
Katie Ladd, Olivia Cameron, Rebecca Atkins, Rebecca Dolphin, Christine
Berkeley, Hannah Readon, Aimee Edel, Joanne Pendleton, Abigail Cameron,
Ellie Sakata, Chloe Michael, Claire Brown, Natalie Burrows, Claudia
Hutton, Jane Jardine, Sofia Munoz, kelly Hancock, Megan Bebb
| |
|
