Saturday 17th April 2010
Rover Oxford Tournament Aylesbury Under 8s
Aylesbury Under 8s travelled to Oxford on Saturday to participate in the Annual Rover Oxford Tournament.
After finishing 3rd last year, Aylesbury were keen to go at least one better and make the final.
Aylesbury's squad was a little bare with only the minimum number of players available for the 7 a side competition.
First up was Oxford Hawks, who with a very strong junior section were always going to be a tough opening match. But Aylesbury's confidence was high from the off. Some great passing in the final third of the pitch and sure defensive work saw Aylesbury win quite comfortably 2-0.
Second match was against a young City of Oxford A Team. Aylesbury's hard work and teamwork saw them run away winners 5-0. And with that, guaranteed them a place in the Quarter Finals.
Their final group game was against Wallingford A Team. Aylesbury wanted to be sure that they qualified as group leaders. And they duly obliged with an impressive 3-0 win. The score line flattered Aylesbury as Wallingford had plenty of chances but were held at bay by some amazing defensive work from Ben Lindars and Jorrell Pascal.
In the Quarter Finals Aylesbury were drawn against City of Oxford B Team. Aylesbury put in there finest performance of the tournament during this match. A neatly taken goal by debutant Lucy Sallows and fantastic team goal finished off by Jai Fitz-Walter were the highlights of the match that Aylesbury comfortably won 5-0.
Aylesbury met familiar opposition in Wallingford A Team in the Semi-Finals. Although Aylesbury had won the group stage encounter 3-0 earlier in the day, Aylesbury's energy levels were low through not having any substitutes. The game was a tight affair, with Aylesbury dominating but just not finding the final touch to put the ball in the net. Chance after chance came and went and Wallingford were constantly looking to score on the breakaway. The match went into extra-time and before teams were looking very tired. But with one of the last plays of the game Ollie Hassall broke free to score the goal that put Aylesbury through to the final.
Aylesbury were to meet Eastcote in the Final. And with the drama and tiredness of the Semi-Finals, Aylesbury had to pick themselves up one last time in order to come away with the winners medals. Although it was visible from the side lines that Aylesbury were flagging, they dug deep and secured an early goal to which Eastcote promptly responded……. 1-1. But Aylesbury pushed on, hungry for the win that they felt they deserved. Aylesbury continued to defend strongly and pressed for the vital goal that would put them back in the lead. Aylesbury found the back of the net a not once but 4 further times before the end of the match to be crowned as winners of the Rover Oxford Tournament 2010.
Team and goals scored were: Jeremy Kiely (6), Jai Fitz-Walter (6), Ollie Hassall (7), Lucy Sallows (1), Eliza Riggs, Ben Lindars and Jorrell Pascal (1).
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