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27th May - Mutford United FC Tournament - Mutford. Mutford Blacks (aka "BIBS") win, Mutford Greens finished 5th in Group Stages. Mutford Bibs Squad - Jason, Smiffy, Mikey, Josh, Phil, Harrison and Jordan. Mutford Greens Squad - Sam D, Sam J, Jack, Shorty, James, Danny, Joe & Robbie. The Mutford tournament again produced some excellent football, moments of drama and ultimately heart ache as the final went to the dreaded penalty shoot out. The group consisted of three Waveney teams, two Mutford and as always Sole Bay Hunters. The first round of matches saw Mutford Bibs and Sole Bay play out a 0-0 draw, Mutford Greens winning 2-0 over Waveney A and the other Waveney sides producing an excellent game in which the eventual Player Of The Tournament Luke Fitzgerald scored two excellent goals. The Mutford Greens from then on found the going fairly tough, with three boys making their debut's and two U12's playing upa year, it was always always going to be difficult for them. Three consecutive 1-0 defeats saw them needing a win in their last game against Waveney to progress and at the same time eliminate their opponents. In game of high drama Mutford took the lead in the first half only to be thwarted at the last as Waveney equalised from a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area. The draw favoured Waveney and one of the host sides were out. Manager of the Mutford Greens was upbeat afterwards saying "I am absolutely delighted with the effort and team spirit of the lads. The boys making their first appearances can be proud of themselves, playing against teams with more experience I diddnt feel they were outclassed at any point. Fantastic."Waveney A were also eliminated at the group stage. Once again the effort and sportsmanship of the lads in team was excellent and they contributed greatly to an enjoyable day of youth football. The Semi Finals saw Mutford Bibs playing against a very strong Waveney side with the dangerous Fitzgerald up front and the powerful Jordan Adams in charge at the back. Mutford were at this point settled into an organised formation that was yet to concede in the tournament. The game as expected was very tight and eventually decided by well struck free kick which skidded off the wet turf, took a deflection and hit the back of the Waveney net. Mutford kept it tight at the back and after what seemed an agonisingly long second half made it to the final. The second semi saw Sole Bay playing the fourth placed team from the qualifying group. Sole Bay as always looked very strong and were picking up lots of balls from goal kicks and looked for all the world the likely winners. Waveney however are made of stern stuff and weathered the storm and created chances of their own with Aiden Jervis often the inspiration for their good work. As the minutes ticked by and the sides entered into golden goal a penalty shoot loomed Waveney found that piece of magic scored with a well struck angled shot to break Sole Bay hearts. The Waveney - Mutford final was well contested but nervous affair with neither side able find any real pattern to their play. Mutford went close early on as Phil enjoying his new advanced role at Mutford breaking through and striking the inside of the post with a powerful shot. Waveney produced a couple of efforts that forced the impressive Harrison to save smartly in the Mutford goal. At the end of normal and extra time both sides stayed firmly locked at 0-0. The penalty competition was as brief as possible with Mutford scoring their first three penalties with well taken accurate kicks and Harrison producing two stunning saves and Waveney striking the cross bar to finish 3-0 Mutford. Harrison again showed what an outstanding goalkeeper he has become and played the whole tournament, including penalty shoot out, without conceding a single goal. 'Bibs' manager Mark Smith was quite emotional after the final, choking back tears he said "The pressure was on to deliver with the squad we had. I am delighted with the boys and the support from the parents, I need at least a dozen Caffreys and a big plate of chilli to celebrate". Posted 31st May 2006 |
