The standard of opposition was very high this time at Filey, as the weather was excellent for the weekend. Our play generally was reasonably good, apart from a couple of games on the first day where we played below expectation.
SATURDAY - DAY 1 - MATCHES
Ilkeston 0 v Guidepost 0 - MOM James - A good tight game, with both teams going hard at it, chances at both ends but neither team could break down stubborn defences. James very strong in the tackle, read game superbly, and just pipped Josh and Aaron for MOM.
Guide Post 0 Flamenco 3 - MOM Elliott - Despite the scoreline, I think this was arguably one of our best performances against the eventual winners, just a couple of defensive errors cost us goals, and then a last second third. For long periods we competed well, with Elliott outstanding from a defensive position, while Aaron made one spectacular save.
Kingston Park 1 Guide Post 0 - MOM Joseph & Dylan We never got going in this game, and only good work from Aaron and the woodwork kept us in at the break. Second period we were fractionally better with Sam nearly getting a goal. The deciding goal was rather luckly a long range shot deflecting off Dylans head giving Aaron no chance. Faced with little support from the midfield Joseph & Dylan worked hard to keep Kingston Park
Teversal 4 Guide Post 0 - MOM Aaron - This was a disappointing performance, although admittedly against a good side. We just lacked energy and commitment throughout. This was summed up when Aaron made a good save from a penalty and there wasnt one of our players following up to clear compared with four of their players wanting to put in the rebound.
SUNDAY - DAY 2 - MATCHES
Guide Post 5 Mansfield Whites 0 - Scorers Dylan 2 Joseph 2 Sam 1MOM WHOLE TEAM - Boys bounced back well, and although against weaker opposition the passing and team work was excellent, and this led to four goals in the first half. Dylan finishing nicely twice, and Joseph and Sam shooting well from inside the area. Second half we had the opportunity to switch things around and give players a breather but we continued to play well, and were unlucky not to score more than Josephs second goal, super high ball from Elliott and nice composed volley finish.
Ashington 0 Guide Post 0 - MOM Sam - With both sides including former team mates from the other side, and school mates going head to head it was always going to be a tight match. Ashington packed the midfield and were certainly fired up for the occasion. Lots of corners and long throws kept flying in to our box, but thankfully we saw it to half time 0-0. Second half, and we started to get the passing going, and we played much better, with Dylan causing them a lot of problems despite a lot of attention, and the best chance went to Joseph who got a high shot on target away, but this was well saved by Jake the Ashington keeper. A draw was the fair result, and it meant there would no bragging rights gained in the play ground Tuesday. Well done both sides. Sam was very strong in this game.
PLATE Quarter Final - Mansfield Reds 1 v Guidepost 1 - Dylan Scorer - MOM Elliott
This was a end to end blood and guts knock out game, with both sides pressing and putting pressure on the opposition goal. Reds getting a goal from a corner as we again shut off a scuffed low efforts trickling right past the goal line to be scrambled in. Guide Post kept working though with Elliott doing well in midfield and putting him some lovely balls from free kicks, James getting his head to two, but the keeper saving. Finally from another excellent ball from Elliott, Dylan this time headed past the keeper for a well taken goal. Both sides went for the winner but defences held out, so to the agony and lottery of penalties. Dylan converted the first and Aaron then saved the first, but unluckily James and Elliott couldn't beat the keeper. So it was 1-1 after three pens so then sudden death, unluckily for us Dylan couldn't beat the keeper for a second time, while the Mansfield played hit nicely into the corner leaving Aaron no chance
PLACING GAME - Ilkeston 1 Guide Post 2 - Goals Josh & James - MOM Sam & Josh -
We finished the tournament as we started with a game v Ilkeston, this was the fourth game between the two sides in two visits to Filey. We are very closely matched with them and always been feisty encounters between the sides, we gained revenge for losing the placing game last year by winning this time round. Lots of good open passing football from both sides, playing against Ilkeston again brought the best out of Josh, some good passing found Josh in space and he cracked in a lovely low shot with his left foot great finish. At the other end Joseph had to make two or three excellent blocking saves. He couldn't do anything about the equaliser, a well taken corner to edge of the box was met first time and put away expertly. Again we switched off defensively. Second half though the boys battled hard, and we got the winner with a couple of minutes to go, another Excellent long range free kick from Elliott looked to have been dealt with but James managed to scramble it in. A good end to a challenging weekend of tournament football.
For player of the tournament, all the boys had their moments so well done to all, but of special mention to me, James played really well in most games, getting forward well from the defence, and the working hard to get back, well done James! While Elliott as ever took a lot of punishment, and put in a lot of quality balls, up front Dylan I think has guaranteed the top scorer crown with some nicely taken goals. But for his enthusiasm, determination, and ENCOURAGING of team mates Sam is my choice for player of tournament. When advised that the captains positions were up for grabs for next season, Sam took this on board well, and impressed me with his team spirit, and set himself up early as a front runner. This decision will be based on what is seen over the summer and want to see good attitude from all the boys, both in matches and in training. This is something that lets us down quite frequently and is one area that needs to drastically improve next season for a number of the boys.
Once again the football was run very professionally and all went smoothly.
