9 yellow shirts, 9 black shorts, 17 black socks and one sky blue sock (just explain that one to us again Ellie), descended on a Sandbach School field to enter into end of season combat with girls from Crewe and Nantwich, Halton, Manor (Wallasey) and Crossfields (absolutely no idea from where but it sounds like a builder merchants in Middlewich).
Oh it is so tricky with having to pick 6 players and 3 subs, except of course that one of the 6 will be super Lucie.
"Me!"
"It's got to be me Mike!"
"I was here first"
"I'm the tallest"
"I'm the oldest"
"I live in Waverton, you don't"
"I'll tell Mum"
With the tent up, ice creams planned and water taken on board, the first game was against the smart pink and black outfitted Crewe and Nantwich girls. The most experienced line up was sent out, Lucie, Lily, Kiera, Elia, Ellie, and Emma and what a splendid job they did. They were on top for most of the game but fell to a last minute scramble from a corner. Undeserved, but with 10 minute games we have to take our chances and not let the opponents take theirs.
The second game saw the introduction of the other players against our Wallasey League foes Manor. A fairly even game for much of the 10 minutes but 2 goals to the good for the Wirral folk at the end. In the break, Emma's little brother complained that Kiera was pushing him. All nine girls wanted to start the next match.
Next up were Halton, a game we had to win to have any chance of progressing. A very even game overall and a fair 0-0 but given its significance it felt like a defeat.
The final encounter was against Crossfields, probably the tallest girls in the competition. The team selected themselves, literally. Again very even until a late goal did for us.
And so that was it. Au revoir Sandbach. Most of the girls felt deflated but they all gave their best and were always in a fairly even encounter. It was so close such is the nature of short burst football and as a team we are no worse than any of the four teams we met today. We should be proud of how well we have developed and recognise the League we play in is very strong on the Wirral. Not a bad way to see out the last few hours of life on planet earth.
Some girls went off for an ice cream. Emma was dejected and wandered off to pack her suncream. Others helped pack the team tent up and we headed home. Good luck to the u12 girls there tomorrow.
We have an opportunity to take part in the Halesowen tournament again this year. Sunday June 19, the day after the Waverton Football Festival (again as last year). It is 5 a side and it might not be possible nor desirable to take a big squad unless players accept that they will spend time on the sidelines. More details on here soon, but we will be looking for a firm commitment.
No training for the next two Mondays, as we shall have our half term break. We shall train again on Mondays in June until the tournament and that will be our absolute end of the football season, with just the celebration event left. We're looking at Saturday 10/Sunday 11 July to do something.
2011 5-a-side Tournament Entry Form
18th/19th June 2011
We invite you to the 22nd annual Halas Hawks 5-a-side football competition, which will be held at Stourbridge Rugby Football Club, Bridgnorth Road, Stourbridge, DY7 6QZ. The event continues to be very popular and clubs are asked to apply early as positions will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. Please note there is a fee of £25 for each team entered with all cheques made payable to Halas Hawks Junior Football Club. Age groups are as per 2010/11 season. Please complete the details below.
NB: For U7s & U8s we will be holding a round robin football festival. All participants will receive a memento of the day.
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