Great Wakering Tournament

Two weekends ago the Forest Glade Under 6's fielded two teams in the Great Wakering tournament. The event only featured 5 teams, FG Lions, FG Tigers, Corringham Athletic, Leighwood and Great Wakering. Each team got to play everyone in the tournament and therefore our Lions and Tigers both had 4 games each in a very well organised event. Each game was 14 mins duration with no half time and all the usual rules that we play. For the Tigers we ended up with 1 win and 3 defeats.

 

For the Tigers our first game was against an old foe, Corringham Athletic. The first few minutes were a bit tense as they took and early lead and then we quickly pulled back to 1 - 1. The Tigers soon settled into the game and some lovely flowing play resulted in a comfortable 5 -1 win. It was great to see some of the skills we had practiced a day earlier being employed by the kids. There was some great runs and crosses.

 

Here are a few action shots from the Corringham game.

 

Ryan given space to make a run.

Joshua readies himself in goal as Ethan and Alfie track back.

Joshua makes the save.

Alex puts another one in the net en route to a hatrick.

Alfie looking up and crossing the ball exactly as we had practiced in training a day earlier.

Alex taps in another goal.

The shots keep coming and FG could have scored even more.

Lorne and Alex on another attack.

Ethan was doing plenty of running and ball skills to get himself out of trouble.

 

In our second game the FG Tigers met the FG Lions and you kind of get the feeling the Tigers were mentally beaten even before kick-off. Given that the Lions and Tigers train and play together each and every week this ended up a very one sided win for the Lions and was subsequently the worst defeat for the Tigers all day long. Well done to the Lions though who were on absolutely storming form.

Joe on a run with Ethan and Ryan chasing.

Alfie on a run.

Ryan in space with Ethan coming up for support.

Another centre kick for the Tigers as the Lions repeatedly found the back of the net.

Ryan in action against the Lions.

 

Joshua can only watch on as Joe find the back of the net again.

Joshua rolling the ball out in an attempt to get the ball out wide for the Tigers.

George and Ethan chase the ball.

Alfie launches a big throw-in towards Lorne.

A long range shot at Joshua.

Alex tries to make a run behind the ever strong Sam in defence.

The game against the Lions ended up with the Tigers conceding a penalty which was taken by George. He caught the ball very well and blasted it straight at Joshua cracking him square in the face. It was a fantastic save (if by accident more than skill) which resulted leaving the big man in tears and with us looking for a new goal keeper for the last two games,

 

The Tigers 3rd game was against Great Wakering and ended with a 1 - 0 defeat. To be honest I think the Tigers dominated the play and easily had the most of the possession, but we just couldn't find the back of the net. A draw might have been a fare result with this game, but the boys really should have won this game.

Ryan dominating in the mid field against Great Wakering.

Ryan looking to get a cross into the box.

Another save by Great Wakering as our boys cannot seem to find the back of the net.

After 2 games in goal, Joshua plays outfield as a defender against Great Wakering.

Ethan fending off a challenge from a Wakering player.

Lorne makes a run down the left side of the pitch.

Ethan runs rings around 3 Wakering players but cannot find the back of the net.

Then Alfie passes the defenders but still no goal.

Maybe the goals weren't coming because our centre forward stepped up to play a game in goal.

Ethan showed good speed to track back and help Joshua in defence.

Alex takes a goal kick.

Alfie takes a great looking corner.

The Tigers final game of the day was against Leighwood Lions who had gone undefeated all day and were tournament champions in the end. The Lions lost 2 - 1 to Leighwood and therefore myself and coach Lee expected this to be a somewhat difficult game and probably one sided for our Tigers. We primed the boys before the game that Leighwood were very good and were likely to score a lot of goals but to just enjoy the experience as it was their last game and to keep their chins held high and a smile on their faces no matter what. In the end the score was a very respectable 2 - 0 which in my opinion was as good as a win against such a good team, and to be honest we had a few good shots on goal ourselves. To be benchmarking ourselves against good teams like Leighwood should be seen as a really positive sign for the Mini Soccer League next season.

Ethan, Alex and Joshua push forward against the Leighwood Lions.

Alex's long range shot goes wide.

Lorne played in goal for the Tigers in our final game and really did a great job making quite a few important saves. Have we finally found a keeper for the team?

Lorne not afraid to come off his line to put pressure on an attacker.

Ryan slides in for a tackle against a Leighwood player.

Joshua and Ethan worked well in defence with one tracking back when the other moved upfield.

Alfie on the ball....

Lorne taking a goal kick.

Ryan on a run with Joshua running along side in support.

Alfie determined to get to this ball ahead of Leighwood.



Tigers take a centre kick as Joshua realises he is out of position and heads back to defend.

So at the end of the tournament Leighwood were announced as the overall winners and I think the FG Lions came in second with their only defeat at the hands of the champs. I think the Tigers played some great football in 3 of the 4 games but were a little disappointing against our own Lions team. So another tournament over, some great experience gained and some very well earnt medals for the boys.

FG Tigers with their medals L-R : Alfie, Ethan, Lorne, Ryan, Joshua and Alex.

Team picture with coach Lee and coach Jason.

Thanks again to Nikola for providing the pictures from the tournament.