17/06/2006 Bishop's Cleeve Under 9's 7-a-side tournament
Charlotte, Will, Joe A, Joe C, Ben, Dewi, Fin, Henry, Ollie
On a hot summers day Charlton Rovers Blues attended the Bishop's Cleeve 7-a-side tournament. The Under 9's tournament was split into two groups of four teams each followed by semi finals and the final.
(Dewi, the captain for the day, goes to meet the referee before the game with Cleeve Colts Rovers.)
In the hot sunshine Blues set out their stall to play attacking football.
The Blues dominated both halves of the game with Will in a rampant mood, peppering the Cleeve goal with numerous shots. The rest of the team worked tirelessly and Dewi forced the Cleeve goalkeeper to make a good save. At the other end the Blues dominance was evident with Finn only having one shot to contend with. Frustratingly the game ended scoreless and the coaches thought their new stress ball would prove invaluable for the rest of the day.
(Will's long range shot just clears the Cleeve Colts bar as Joe C, Dewi and the Cleeve goalkeeper look on.)
Abbey Mead Thunders 0 Charlton Rovers Blues 1
Once again the Blues dominated the game but found goals hard to come by. From the kick off Dewi stole possession from the Thunders and proceeded to bare down on goal. After beating two defenders his shot was well saved by the Thunders goalkeeper. The Blues continued to attack the Thunders goal and squandered numerous chances. Eventually Ben broke the deadlock following good work from Finn (his first game out of goal) and Ollie in the Thunders area.
(Ben rounds the keeper whilst Finn and Ollie (hidden) look on having set up the opportunity)
The Blues dominance was emphasised by the fact that Henry, the Blues goalkeeper, only had one goal kick and no saves to make. In defence Joe A and Charlotte were untroubled and Will and Joe C controlled the midfield.
Cheltenham Saracens 0 Cleeve Colts Rovers 1
Cheltenham Saracens 0 Charlton Rovers Blues 1
The final group game saw the Blues dominate for the third game in a row. Will and Joe C commanded the midfield and took the ball off the Saracens players with ease. A goal was inevitale and arrived following a through ball from Joe C that set Dewi off on one of his rampaging runs. Cutting into the area he shot across the goalkeeper and into the corner of the net. Finn proceeded to shine Dewi's boot as part of the celebrations.
(Dewi leaves the Saracens defenders trailing and slots the ball into the corner of the net whilst Will follows in to make sure it crosses the line)
The second half saw Will blast the ball against the Saracens post following a powerful run from the half way line, the rebound hitting the Saracens goalkeeper and forcing him to leave the pitch.
(Will blasts a shot against the post after a dynamic run)
Dewi went on another burst down the right wing and was fouled by the Saracens defender. The referee to Dewi's disgust blew for a free kick when he believed advantage should have been played as he was through on goal with only the goalkeepr to beat.
Once again the Blues defence was untroubled and Finn only had a free kick to save.
Abbey Mead Thunders 1 Cleeve Colts Rovers 0
Blues won their group having not conceded a goal and qualified for the semi-final where they were to meet Charlton Rovers Reds.
Semi-Final
Charlton Rovers Blues 0 Charlton Rovers Reds 0 (0-1 after Penalties)
Both teams were well matched and chances were hard to come by on a very uneven surface. Will and Joe C battled in midfield and had a slight edge over their opponents but struggled to provide clear cut chances for Dewi, Ollie, Ben and Finn. Joe A and Charlotte held their own at the back and Charlotte twice brought the ball forward trying to turn defence into attack but was thwarted by the strong Reds defence.
(The Reds goalkeeper (Andrew) gathers the ball in front of Dewi and Ollie)
The Reds best attempt came from a long kick out from their goalkeeper Andrew that Henry carefully gathered.
Penalties were inevitable and unfortunately that is the only way the two sides could be separated.
There were to be 3 penalties per side followed by sudden death. The Reds took the first penalty and left Finn with no chance, powerfully placing the ball in to the top corner of the net ...... 0 - 1
Ben stepped up to take the Blues first penalty but placed his shot narrowly wide.
The Reds second penalty was magnificantly saved by Finn to provide hope for the Blues
Joe C stepped up to take the penalty and saw his shot well saved by the Reds goalkeeper.
The Reds only needed to score to win the match, but Finn was having none of it and again pulled off a wonderful save to keep the contest alive.
Will marched forward to take the final Blues penalty and saw his powerful shot palmed brilliantly ove the bar by the Reds keeper to send the Reds into the final
(The Reds goalkeeper (Andrew) brilliantly palms Will's penalty over the bar)
Once again the Blues had lost in a penalty shoot out and had been knocked out of a competition where they had not conceded a goal all day.
