Stockton Yellow U8’s Triumph at the STFC Tournament 2015
Date 30/08/15
The annual Stockton town football tournament took place over the weekend of the 29th and 30th of august and the U8’s yellows were one of many teams from Stockton Town FC entered.
The Sunday was the U8’s day for their participation and the group stages took place from 10 o’clock. The Yellows 1st game was against Boro Rangers Greens which STFC won 3-1. It was a fine performance from the greens who were a newly formed team, but Stockton saw the game out comfortably.
The 2nd group game was against Leven and the return of ex player Matty Hill, he was warmly greeted by all from Stockton who were happy to see him and his family again. The game finished 4-0 to Stockton but Leven played their part in what is always an entertaining game against these kids.
The final group game was against Normanby United which finished 6-1 to Stockton Town, possibly the best of the group games with some fast flowing and sharp passing moves creating many goal-scoring opportunities. These games moved Stockton into the semi-final stages with a match against Newton Aycliffe. The game ebbed and flowed and despite taking an early lead Stockton were never allowed to settle by a bullish Aycliffe, who pegged them back scoring a fine free kick to finish at full time 1-1. Penalties were needed to settle the affair and the nerves were frayed on the touch line but not on the pitch by any of the penalty takers, with Stockton winning the shootout 3-2. Penalty takers and scorers for Stockton were Josh Lowthian, Joseph Kennedy and Zac Greenhough but, the save from Ollie Beddard in goal was the key part of the shootout win.
Onto the final were Stockton met another Boro Rangers team the Blues who beat Leven in the other Semi Final. The game started and Stockton struggled to settle but with that typical STFC never say die attitude they held their own in a tight pulsating battle to go in at half time somewhat against the run of play 1-0 up.
The 2nd half started with Boro Rangers staying calm and composed, creating numerous scoring chances but it seemed could not find a way past what can only be described as one of the best goalkeeping displays of a 7 year old witnessed at Stockton Town. Boro did eventually equalise with a move which started at the back and carved open Stockton for a well taken goal. The last 5 minutes were all Boro but the dead on their feet Stockton players gave every last reserve of energy, putting their bodies on the line and putting in many crucial blocks to finish the game 1-1, at full time and another penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout was as tense as the game with the crowd swelled by many spectators coming over to witness the action. Stockton’s 3 penalty takers stepped forward like gladiators in the coliseum; Joseph Kennedy struck first with the next from Boro to level it. Josh Lowthian then calmly slotted home to put the Yellows 2-1 up, the next penalty from Boro saw a finely struck shot come back off the post meaning the next penalty for the yellows if scored would win it, up stepped Captain Zac Greenhough who although he said was not nervous was probably feeling like jelly. His penalty was cooler than a fab lolly in an ice cream van fridge and jubilant scenes followed as the Yellows all celebrated the win.
The result was tough on a fabulous Boro Rangers team who at times were exceptional but take nothing away from a great bunch of kids who gave their all for the Yellows.
A brilliant end to a great day and a big thank you to all the Referees who marshalled the games superbly, Midge and his staff for making it happen all the parents for their continued support and last but not least the winning players.
The 2015 winners of the U8’s Stockton town cup were Captain Zac Greenhough, Goalkeeper Ollie Beddard, Ashton Johnson, Joseph Kennedy, Seb Bowerman, Miller Squires, Kai Walker, Josh Lowthian and Daniel Porritt.
Well done kids.
