Guide Post Finish 3rd in Group of Death All the boys should feel proud of their efforts after being put in a very difficult group, while not surprisingly home team Ashington had a much easier group.
Will just go through the match's
Newcastle City Juniors 4 Guide Post 0 - Dane Man of Match
Despite the scoreline it wasnt too bad a performance against the eventual winners and one of the top three sides in Northumberland. Unfortunately a couple of errors set City on the way, and this was followed up by two very nicely worked team goals. We tended to leave too big a gap in the centre midfield and allowed them too much time on the ball. Key against such good sides is to really put pressure on them.
Guide Post 1 Bedlington Storm 1 - James MOM (Goal: Dane)
Against our good friends and rivals we put in a very committed display and were perhaps unfortunate in the end not to get the result, with three half chances coming in the last few minutes, with the ball just not quite going to feet in penalty area. Storm started much the stronger, and it was no surprise when they took the lead, after a good team move.
Our reaction was superb though as we hit straight back from the kick off with Sam making a great run and assisted by Dylan the ball seemed to be heading for the goal but Dane was near the line to make sure tapping in from close range. Storm continued to attack well, but good defending by James & Harry and some shooting wide and high meant that Aaron had a relatively quiet game. At the other end Dane, Joseph and Dylan started to create problems for the Storm defence, Dane shooting wide, Joseph not quite getting enough on to beat the keeper, and a couple of blocks from the Storm defence.
A good close game, where a draw was the right result
Blyth Rangers 2 Guide Post 0 - Sam MOM
The long gaps between games did us no favour in this one, as we lacked the energy and passion to compete, against a hard workman like Rangers side. This is the second time in a row where we have put in awful display against Rangers, next time we play them want to show that we are a much better side. More than capable of competing and winning against such sides.
Midfield just didnt get going and Rangers were much the better side, a nicely worked goal got them the lead, then after one of many debateable free kicks they got a deflection to make it 2-0.
Guide Post 1 North Shields 0 - Elliott MOM (Goal Dane)
A transformation in attitude and battling qualities for our final game, where we took the spoils against a big strong Shields side, who had played well throughout the tournament.
Everyone put their bodies on the line in this one, with fifteen minutes of top effort, to end the tournament on a high. Joseph, Harry, James all doing wonders in defence backed up by Aaron in goal. Elliott took it on himself to play in the holding midfield role and played the position to perfection. While in midfield, Dane, Sam and Dylan combined well. The only goal came after good work from Dylan led to a shot being parried and the fox in the box, Dane was there to hit the ball high and hard into the net.
Despite being under quite a bit of pressure we stood firm, and picked up a good win.
TOURNAMENT - MOM - Sam
Apart from one poor performance we did well enough in a very tough group, but these are the good teams that we are going to have to face at some point in season, so it was a good challenge. It is all about having that intensity and battling qualities, and we showed them against Storm and North Shields, plenty to build on and to finish third in the group just a point off semi final qualification was good.
Consistent good performers in the tournament for me were Dane, Sam and James, with Sam just getting the nod for Player of the Tournament, great work Sam, keep up your hard work. All the boys had good moments on the day.
Training 5.45 School Field - Wednesday
