All Forums  Unicorn Under 11 Forum SEASON 2008/09  News and announcements for the Under 11s  Dragons triumph at AltyFC Junior Festival

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Screensize: 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 UserName: Password: Enter Anti SPAM Code: Click here to refresh this page Format Mode: Basic  Help  Prompt  Format: Font Andale Mono Arial Arial Black Book Antiqua Century Gothic Comic Sans MS Courier New Georgia Impact Lucida Console Script MT Bold Stencil Tahoma Times New Roman Trebuchet MS Verdana   Size 1 2 3 4 5 6   Color Black Red Yellow Pink Green Orange Purple Blue Beige Brown Teal Navy Maroon LimeGreen Message Icon:                             Message: * HTML is OFF * Forum Code is ON Smilies [quote][i]Originally posted by bfayle[/i] [br][left]With Alty FC on our doorstep it was only natural that the Dragons enter a team for this their inaugural tournament. Using a six-a-side format and a squad of 11 my plan was as always, to give each player a fair crack of the whip. However looking at those teams entered I quickly realised that two of our bogey teams were also entered (Reddish Vulcans and Broadheath)therefore we needed to be strong as well as fair. Hey ho - I thought lets make sure we enjoy ourselves and give a good performance to all of the parents who's support for the boys has been unwavering throughout this rather difficult season. First game was against Timperley Villa. Using a 2-2-1 formation we immediately took command of the game getting into our stride very quickly. With some impressive moves and resolute defending we overcame Timperley's determination, helped I have to say by a rather dubious decision and some excellent goal minding by Alex. Nevertheless, we've learnt to take all we can and being that we've been deprived of some serious good fortune over the season, we took this slice of luck and embraced it. This was also a game in which Jon, George, Grady, Scott and Dan set the benchmark for those to follow with some brilliant inter-play and passion that would stand the team in good stead for what was to follow. Next up it was our hosts, Altrincham Sharks who had impressed in their first game. This game was in some respects no different to the first with some excellent passages of play and an abundance of determination. With Chris as determined as ever and Oli continuing to make massive strides with his all-round performance this game was once again end to end. Mike slotted in at right back and in typical style supported Mat up-front with some excellent over-lapping runs. Mat also showed the watching crowd how to dance around defenders but sadly could not beat a determined Altrincham keeper. Up at the other end however and despite a superb finger tip save from Alex a lapse in concentration saw an Alty attacker ghost in at the back post and punish us from close distance. The final whistle soon blew leaving us with a wound or two and only 3 points from two. Up next were Reddish (who last season ripped us apart in the league, both home and away) and who themselves looked impressive in both of their opening games. Worried that the boys would dwell on the previous match, they surprised all by the way they bounced back with a convincing 3-0 victory over a strong Vulcans. Again strong at the back, creative in the middle and on target up front this victory typified the unity of a team that has had its fair share of body blows in the league. Our final game was against Altrincham Cheetahs and whilst they had played well in their previous matches, we were confident of a victory. Another commanding performance at the back by Adam and lots of magic from George saw us again gain three more points and take us that wee bit closer to qualification to the semi's. However Reddish and Alty Sharks had too gained points and with an all Altrincham final match, the Sharks needed 8 goals to progress at the expense of the Dragons. It was a nerve racking conclusion to the round robin however the Sharks failed by one leaving the Dragons and the Vulcans to qualify from our group. Our excitement was quickly dampened when we realised we were up against Braodheath in the semi final. A rather exuberant crowd saw a cracking game with Unicorn surprising Braodheath by taking the game to them. This game was as much mental as it was physical with both teams determined not to let a trip to the final slip through their hands. It was an open game but if truth be told, Unicorn dominated the initial exchanges. With Adam and Grady performing like rocks, nothing was getting passed them. Adam cool calm and collected winning tackles and distributing the ball majestically. Grady on the otherhand was reborn. Full of energy, passion and a certain amount of aggression nothing got passed him having won, convincingly, the airiel battle. Dan as usual was busy upfront and from yet another header won by Grady, Dan turned on a six-pence and from half way broke the deadlock with a super rasping shot. Hardly surprisingly though, Broadheath exerted some pressure in response, which at times was almost enough. However the ref soon blew for full time taking the Dragons through to the final which we had learned was against Reddish Vulcans. Then to the final. A pre-match chat with the boys told me that they fully appreciate the concept of 'team' and almost ordering me, I selected what I thought was a team most likely to compete against a strong Vulcans team. Off we went, it was a bit nip and tuck, but I have to say that once again, the Dragons took the game to Reddish with some aplomb, not to mention some intricate and imaginative football. Jon was once again brilliant in the mid-field shielding the back two and supporting Dan on his lonesome. The deadlock was soon to be broken from a rather unlikely source. With his last goal an own goal (and a great goal at that) some two seasons ago, and following Reddish's inability to clear their lines, up stepped Grady to drilled the ball hard and low from outside the box hitting the bottom left of the goal and evading a rather desperate lunge by the unsighted Reddish keeper. The boys were extatic but realised that there was a long way to go. Reddish didn't really have a sniff of the Dragons goal and when Dan slotted yet again to double Unicorns lead, their heads visibly dropped, sensing perhaps, that all was lost. Not wishing to sit back and protect our lead, up stepped George who capped yet another impressive performance with an opportunist goal at the back post. Having run himself to the ground with a super all-round performance, Dan was rested and replaced by Mat who with his first touch, heading the Dragons into an unassailable lead. A few minutes later and the Dragons were tournament winners. There were tears, there were cheers, there were hugs and there was Scott: who, decided to celibrate as only he knows how by rolling around the ground until he was dizzy.......Mmmmmmmm! Yes the victory was brilliant, but what really chuffed me to bits was the fact that these boys so so deserved it having played some impressive football that once again belied their youth. I was also very very pleased to witness the clear bond and team spirit that has emerged amongst the lads. I applaud the boys that played in the final but I respect more those that didn't. Congratulations to the Dragons for a thoroughly deserved victory. Bruce Fayle [/quote]   Check here to include your profile signature.