Well what a great weekend away we had on our first team tour!
Will go through all our matches
GUIDE POST 2 DODWORTH MW 1 - MOM - JOSEPH
Started with a hard fought win against a competitive Dodworth side, Sam getting the first goal with a well taken shot from on the edge of the area! A few minutes later it was two, Elliott taking a short corner, and Joseph taking the ball on and guiding the ball into the top corner. After the break Dodworth came much more into the game, and got a deserved goal back. It was an end to end game with chances at both ends. Joseph man of match, good goal, and showed his versatility by playing well at left back in the second half.
GUIDE POST 0 SUNDERLAND FOUNDATION 3 - MOM AARON
Against the eventual winners this was a tough ask for our boys, but in the first half we played superbly to keep them to only a one goal lead, with James doing some sterling work, and Aaron making a number of super saves. With James getting injured, we lost our shape a bit in the second half and their pace and power came through, as they ran out comfortable winners. Aaron was man of match after a great display.
HOYLAND COMM. 0 GUIDE POST 1 - MOM Harry & Sam
Probably one of our weakest games of the tournament, but we battled away and sneaked the win, Sam running on to a through ball and finishing well after a long run! At the other end Harry was excellent in defence, while Joseph filling in for Aarons kicking was very good. Joint man of the match shared between Sam and Harry
GUIDE POST 1 ILKESTON TOWN 1 - MOM James
This was a very hard and entertaining game, with some excellent passing football on show from both team. We took the lead with a stunning strike. Again short corner from Elliott to Joseph, only had time for a couple of touches and just before he was going to be blocked, he smashed the ball into the top corner leaving the keeper no chance. Josh and Elliott also went close but Ilkeston were very lively on attack, and only some monumental defending from James and Aaron kept them out. Finally they did manage to get an equaliser when a loose ball in the area was smashed in. James was man of the match.
MANSFIELD BOYS 0 GUIDE POST 0 - MOM Elliott
Another really entertaining game, with two excellent passing sides going toe to toe. Chances flowed at both ends, with the Mansfield keeper on top form to keep Elliott out, making three quick fire saves at one point in the second half. With Ben having an excellent run. At the other end Josh, Sam & James worked wonders to keep them from scoring. The Mansfield coach was full of praise for us at the end of the match, our man of the match being Elliott after a very hard working performance.
OSSETT TOWN A 1 - GUIDE POST 0 - MOM SAM
This was a tough start on the colder Sunday morning, but we battled well through out the game, and were a little unlucky not to get anything out of it. The only goal of a scrappy encounter, came when a well struck corner just managed to get through Aarons hands. Sam worked extremely hard and got MOM.
OSSETT TOWN B 1 GUIDE POST 2 - MOM JAMES
We managed to get quick revenge against Ossett Town, when we beat the B side next match up. Elliott was tripped a long way out, but from the resulting free kick, he hit a lovely long low strike which beat everyone and went in at the far corner, super strike Elliott. This gave us confidence and we passed the ball around nicely, the second goal coming again from short corner, Elliott to Joseph who took it on, and got shot away, not as good as his other efforts but it still was too hot to handle for Ossett keeper. After the break they cane right back in to it, after a rather fortuitous goal when Aaron was wrong footed. Under pressure, James was outstanding at the back and got the man of the match, after bravely carrying on after getting an injury.
PENNINE JUNIORS 0 GUIDE POST 0 - MOM Joseph & Harry
This was a very gritty performance against a an highly skilled and quick Pennine side, we were under pressure for long periods but Harry, James and Josh stood firm at the back, and Joseph back in the nets pulled off a stunning save in the first half. Aaron came on in the second half, and he pulled off a similarly stunning save to keep them out. We even had chances to snatch it with Joseph, Elliott and Sam going close. Joseph for his great save in one half then good running up front in the second half picked up joint MOM with Harry who did great work at the back.
REDBY 3 GUIDE POST 0 - MOM James
Everything went against us in this one against a tough Redby side, with some strange refereeing, and at least two deflected goals, meaning we were three nil down at the break. We asked for more at the break, and we got a good reaction from the boys, and we made it much more of a game, and we went close on a number of occasions. While we looked much stronger at the back, against Redby who were runners up in the competition. James again superb and strong right through the game got the man of the match award.
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION 6th - A great effort from the boys, against some big town clubs we held our own excellently, so proud of all the boys.
5th / 6th Place Play off - Ilkeston Town 2 Guide Post 0 - MOM Elliott & James
Our tired legs started to show in this last game, and two excellent strikes from Ilkeston game them the win.
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT - JAMES
After been missing in action due to Volcanic ash, James came back in terrific form, playing superbly through out the tournament. Strong in the tackle and comfortable on the ball, was a great couple of days for him. Super work James. Joseph also had a very consistent tournament, showing his versatility, looking good in goal, defence, midfield and up front, scoring three good goals. Sam was also really good in all games, with great running and passing, while Elliott was strong as ever through out the two days and was only denied from getting more goals by some excellent keeping. At the back Josh and Harry did really well, while Aaron made lots of good saves. Ben also did well and showed off his excellent close ball control on numerous occasions.
ADULTS MATCH - BOYS LOTS GIRLS NOT SO MANY
On the Sunday afternoon we had an impromptu kick about in-between the caravans, and despite some questionable tackles and handling mainly from Wendy, the boys were too strong, with some stunning one touch football from the coaches and Stephen.(If I do say so myself, sorry James for the elbow in the face) For the girls Wendy was very robust in the tackle and scored a few, while Ally also looked good and nearly took one of the near by caravans fence out with a long goal kick! Ash & Megan also impressed with some fancy footwork for the girls, with Jack being highly competive for the boys, Allison and Zoe having quiet games, must work harder on the pitch! Excellent fun game for all. Phil who's idea it was for a game, was unfortunately missing at the time of the game, will have to bring your boots again next year Phil!
HARD WORKER OF THE HOLIDAY - ZOE - Thanks for looking after everyone so well, well supported by Ally, & Stephen in the boys caravan, Wendy showed her finely tuned delegation skills during the few days! She was on her holidays don't you know! Five famalies crammed into two caravans did work out fine, credit to all, was a great weekend.
LAST THOUGHTS
Finally you say...., it felt good to be part of the "Guide Post Club" at the presentation awards, with the U9's and U13's also taking part over the weekend, this made for some great support when it came to each teams time on stage! The caravans were excellent, girls of course getting the best, and the whole weekend was well run by UK football tours. All the parents wallets being a lot lighter for the experience, meaning we better all get saving for Filey 2011, when Guide Post will be back on Tour!
