Chinnor Tournament - 24th May. HYFC U10's runners up!

Saturday morning 24th May started damply – in terms of weather and our performance as a football team! Fortunately, as the weather brightened so did the passing, moving and communication!

We entered the tournament with a real sense of possible success given the improved performances from everyone throughout the year; there were 2 groups of 5 teams playing a round-robin fixture format to determine finishing positions. The top 4 teams in each group would then contest the quarter finals, semi-finals and ultimately final.

Our first game against Princes Risborough started very well but after going behind 1-0 we let disappointment set in and never really threatened to level the game; this was definitely a game of two halves, good and then bad.

However, the remaining 3 games that we played in the group were the exact opposite; in every game we conceded the first goal and then our performances improved (dramatically) to secure two wins and a draw. These results secured us second place in the group and qualification for the quarter finals.

We were drawn against a team from the other Group (Thame) and I must admit that given the reputation of the Thame club I was a little nervous about our chances; what do I know! The boys played them off the park and a comfortable win was secured – into the semi’s.

I am not sure how the draw was structured but we were now drawn against Princes Risborough for a place in the final; this time it was the boys turn to be nervous about their chances given that we had lost the first game of the day to the same team. A little team talk prior combined with some very good football (this time for the whole game) resulted in revenge and a win. We were into the final.

The final was contested against Chinnor (their best team from 3 entered) and the game was well balanced with both teams playing very good football. We took an early lead but were pegged back to 1-1 just before half-time. The second half was again evenly matched but we were unlucky to concede a second goal towards the end of the game with no time to equalise.

Achieving runners up spot – a great result and very well deserved to all the boys. They earned the trophies that were awarded!

On behalf of Andrew and me – a big thank you for an enjoyable day and the pride that we feel to be coaches of a very very good football team!4d

Tony Lister

Head of Gaming

M: 07714 837169