Hullbridge Charity Tournament
Link for more details behind the tournament - deanbutlermemorial
This tournament would see us play Hullbridge Sports, Mornington Boys, Prospects United and Essex Comets in games totalling 8 minutes each.
Coaches Mick and Dean with the team
Left to Right Owen,Darcy,Ben,Jake,Jamie,Charlie,Reily
Our first opponents of the day were Prospects United, we started really well and were dominating the game keeping them in their own half under pressure, almost taking a much deserved early lead. Prospects had some big strong players in their team who eventually managed to break the deadlock and take the lead, after conceding the first goal we struggled to settle and conceded another 2 goals in quick concession Both from long range leaving Reily no chance in goal.
Team talk in the Hullbridge changing room
Jamie explaining tactics and formation discussed with coach Dean
Our second game of the day saw us need to change into our blue home shirts as we took on Hullbridge for a very competitive game, Again we dominated this game and looked very comfortable in possession, creating endless opportunities and chances but failing to find the net, although i think nearly everyone had a chance to put one away.
This was probably Reilys quietest game of the day as the midfield and defence had him comfortably covered. These were our first points of the day as we picked up a 0 - 0 draw.
Next up were Essex Comets, We had no break for this one and played directly after our game with Hullbridge. Essex comets had kicked off the tournament and we had seen what they had to offer, they were very attacking, skillful, quick and direct and admittedly as coaches we were feeling nervous as to how we would cope with the speed they had available to them.
Why did we doubt our teams ability to cope, Captain Charlie stepped up to the plate and rallied his troops, Not only did they cope with it they took it to them, Essex Comets attacked and we countered them again and again, however we lacked that killer touch to finish off the opposition with Darcy going closest to breaking the deadlock.
Not to take anything away from Reily who had an absolute rock of a game making some very important saves and blocks. This was our second point of the day finishing 0 - 0 again.
Mornington boys, we had played them only a week ago and battled out a 0 - 0 draw in the Forest Glade 5's so we knew we had a good chance of picking up some more points.
Again we started well attacking hard and battling for possession when we lost the ball, Mornington boys are quite a physical side who had managed to use that to their advantage against the other teams in this tournament, but again we matched their play and gave as good as we got.
We pushed forward looking for that elusive goal which left us open to some quick counter attacks, Reily again in amazing form and making some good saves, Jake in this game was immense and must have covered every inch of the pitch. We found our shooting boots and started to pepper the mornington goal with shots with Owen just missing the target, Finally WE DONE IT we broke the deadlock with Jake smashing one home starting the teams celebrations.
Holding off a late assault on goal we managed to pick up our first win as a Leopards team 1 - 0.
Reily's pre game stretch
Captain Charlie organising his troops
Jake breaking again, While Owen and Ben wait for their chance
Reily after another save
Captain Charlie bringing the ball away from the opposition
Jake and Darcy chase down the Mornington powerhouse, With Ben ready and waiting !!
Ben and Charlie defend well with Darcy waiting for the pass
Charlie calls for support from the back as Owen chases down the opponent
Coaches watch on as the Leopards finish off the game
Final Game
Due to our accrued points this put us into a 3rd place play-off spot where we would once again face Prospects United, with Mornington Boys playing Essex Comets for the 1st place trophy.
We talked to the team giving them encouragement to overcome our earlier loss to the team we were about to play, this game would be longer seeing us play two 8 minute halves.
We started brightly pushing forwards looking for an early goal, battling hard in midfield to retain possession but were undone at the back by some neat play and a good shot the crept just inside the post, Not letting our heads drop we once again pushed on to see if we could find the goal to bring us back into the game, this saw us break up play in the middle of the field with Owen making a good challenge and breaking forward, he took a shot which caused a melee in the area with both him and Jake waiting to pounce on the ball, Jake managed to get a good clean strike on the ball and brought us back into it. The Leopards continued to play well and battle hard and could not be matched on a football playing basis, however becoming tired and being subjected to some fierce long range efforts we were undone again which eventually saw us succumb to a hefty 5 - 1 defeat.
Not once throughout the day were we out played or out classed, we played some lovely football and deserved a tighter result in the final game.
Leopards next to Prospects (Sky Blue) and Tournament winners Mornington Boys
Reily checking out his medal
Charlie and the Leopards collecting their medals
Charlie admiring his medal
An exhausted Jake after collecting his medal
Owen looking at his medal
Jamie being presented with his medal
All the Leopards played fantastic today so thank you to them and their parents for making us two very happy but worn out coaches.
Sunburned but happy "It's Shandy honest"
Coach Dean playing for charity
All teams that played today needed to be sponsored to raise money for charity, with this years charity being Prostate Cancer UK
Great result Michael and Dean and very nice write up. Looks like a really good days football and all the coaches / parents should be proud of the Leopards. Well done boys/girls.
ReplyDeleteA great day, well done Leopards! How did Dean get on?
ReplyDeleteI think Deans team lost the final on Pens,However he did score his one !! ( Mick )
ReplyDelete