Year 5 Boys at Rockleaze, 12th June

Well it's now official.

The year five boys are both a very competitive and talented squad and a great bunch of lads who really deserved to win a Tournament this season. As it was we came so close again, losing 1-0 in extra time of the final at Rockleaze.

The day started wet. Got wetter. The gazebo blew down. It carried on raining. And raining. However the boys played with skill and commitment throughout, getting stronger as the day wore on as they somehow got used to the conditions and worked out the best way to play in them

Two tough games at the start of the group and two 0-0 draws with the best sides that Shire Colts and Rockleaze could field. In neither game were we under much pressure but we didn't really create much either. Then came wins against Ashley Down (2-0, goals from Joey and Danny) and Golden Hill Sonics (3-0, goals from Jack, Sam and Danny), the first a great strike and the latter two great team goals.

The final group game against Downend Saints 'B' and if we won it we were guaranteed a place in the semi-finals. Somehow we did not score. In one 30 second period we had the ball cleared off the line may be 5, may be six times. We hit the post. The keeper made saves. But the ball would not go in. Never has the saying " we murdered them 0-0" been more apt.

Anyway, results in the other games meant that we finished a very strong group second on goal difference.

In the semi-final we met Downend Saints 'A' and although it took us until extra time for Harri to score the winner we were in control for the most part and Archie was never seriously threatened.

And then the final. Shire Colts again. 0-0 at the end of full time. They nicked goal in extra time and then Danny deserved to equalise as he curled a free kick onto the post. No goal would come and so we ended as runners up for the third time this season. As the Rockleaze Chairman said at the presentation - it could have gone either way.

I would like to thank all of the boys who played today (Archie, Owen, Harri, Seb, Ollie K, Sam L, Danny, Joey, Nick, Jack C, Omar and Raul). As with Clifton they made the coaches' job easy as they accepted substitutions with good grace. Some boys didn't play as much as others but when they came on they showed how important they were to us - Owen and Harri's contribution in the semi being a very good example. Max and Sonny even braved the weather to watch which was above and beyond the call of duty and very much appreciated.

Thanks also to all of the parents for their support, cups of coffee and soup and attempts to keep everyone as dry and warm as possible.

The coaches have really enjoyed this season which is due to all 24 boys in the squad.

The End of Season Tournament is on 16th July (more details to follow) and it would be great to see as many parents as possible at the Party in the evening (see Sally 'The Ticketmaster' Newman next week).