17.07.10 Banwells Tournament Winners

Unfortunately Rupert was crocked earlier on in the tournament and missed out in the photograph above.

The tournament : 6 matches, usual 3 points for a win / 1 draw / 0 lose, 5 minutes each way. Some good footballing opponents, though a confusing matchday programme

Warmley Rangers were actually Brislington, Kewstoke were actually Ashton Boys.
Results were as follows:

Banwell Juniors 0 - 2 Bath City Youth
Bath City Youth 0 - 0 Ashton Boys A
Brislington 0 - 1 Bath City Youth
Bath City Youth 1 - 0 Brislington A
Bath City Youth 1 - 0 Ashton Boys B
Banwell Athletic 0 - 6 Bath City Youth

The group stage matches won many admirers and new friends, the boys played some very effective free flowing passing and maintained very well organised in shape both with and without possession. The atmosphere friendly, though Rupert went home early due to commited battling and Gavin scythed down cynically by a frustrated Brislington forward - harsh, but lessons can be learned from this.

The Final

The final drew a big and excited crowd in eager anticipation. The two best footballing sides making it through - Ashton Boys and Bath City Youth. By this stage in the afternoon pitch four had been trampled suitably to shorten the grass - Ashton got their foot on the ball early and demonstrated assuredness on the ball and patience, City happy to sit back and allow possession to be maintained in the Ashton half.

The first goal ( and first goal conceded by City ) was an absolutely stunning strike on the half volley. Ashton probed down the left channel with some neat passing, which drew our defense 5 yards out of position - a superb diagonal ball was released by their no 7 into space to be met emphatically on the half volley by their impressive no16 who had terrorised earlier opponents. Understandably shaken having gone behind, City rolled up their sleeves and set about the task and put Ashton under pressure whilst invading their half. Eventually solid build up play allowed Gavin a one on one with their big defender, turning on the by-line and delivered a slide rule path into the oncoming Max narrowly beating his marker to sidefoot home a well deserved equaliser. The noise on the touchline grew as the goal created a new twist and visibly a massive body blow to Ashton just before half time.

At half time, some changes - one substitution as we only now had one, Mark for Ben assuming right wing, with Alex switching to right wing, Patrick from right back to centreforward and Gavin dropping into right back. Fin pulled out a great save with his feet to keep the scores level, then eventually Bath City broke down Ashton and created confusion with a diagonal ball in from Max, met by Alex on the left who took two attempts to finish... which still would not cross the line as Ashton GK put his life on the line to be beaten by shear grit and determination of Patrick for 2 -1 and Bath City Youth tournament winners, three times in a row. Unbelievable.

I would have loved to have taken more photographs, but the matches were fiercely competitive and compelling to watch, it would be impossible to predict or assume to win the third tournament on the bounce - the wins have to be earnt by hard work, teamwork and desire. The boys proved themselves worthy winners and earnt it as a group.

Ashton Boys and Salisbury have been the best opposition we've met on the road, were very complimentary to our players - and will prove some stiff pre-season opposition in September ahead of the 2010-11 campaign.

Well done, you've all done yourselves proud.