Tournament at Selhurst Park
U10/11/13
The U10s kicked us off in what seemed to be a strange day for the boys. The lads started off with a draw against the eventual winners, and felt hard done by after controlling the game and having chances to score. The second game ended in defeat which shocked the system of the lads and gave them all a wake up call. With the boys unaware that a result elsewhere would put them out, they only knew they had to win and they did that in superb fashion with a hattrick from A.Watmore and a scorpion kick goal being the pick of the bunch. Sadly though, results did go against us and the boys could only make the play offs. Play offs came about and the lads just didn’t switch on going 3 goals down. Shortly after, out of nowhere, the lads were reenergised scoring 2 goals in quick succession! With the score 3-2, stand in keeper T.Sewell made his way up for a corner in which he got the vital touch for the ball to be stabbed home and the game to go to penalties. The boys won 3-2 on penalties with Dulski, Speed and Watmore all converting.
Later that afternoon our u11’s were looking to go one better, however they found themselves in a tough group. The first game kicked off and after all possession and chances not taken, the opposition, with the last kick off the game, scored to make it 1-0. The second game roles seemed to reverse in the score line front however it was business as usual with the boys dominating the ball. The boys eventually went 1-0 up with moments to play putting them in real contention for the semi's. However, it wasn’t to be as a defeat in the final game meant the boys could only match the U10s and play in the play offs. It wasn’t all doom and gloom though as the boys finished with a convincing 2-0 win in the play offs.
To round off day one at Selhurst, our U13s were competing in the hope to better their performance last time out of the final. The group panned out as we imagined, going the whole knockout phase without loosing or conceding. This was mostly down to some fantastic stops from J. St Pier and some brilliant defensive displays all over the pitch. The highlight of the group stage being a last minute winner from A. Patrick to send us through to the semi's. Once the semi's came around we found ourselves playing a side packed with players just released from the pro game so we knew it would be tough. The first 8 or so minutes were goal-less and chances to steal the game were halted after a rampant final 2 minutes saw us fall victim to sloppy goals. We bowed out in the semi's with a chance of redemption in the 3rd place play off. That the boys did, with a well planned, clinical performance, the boys came away 3-0 winners leaving Selhurst with 3rd place.
Overall a fairly disappointing day one for the boys standards but nevertheless not a bad one.
U8/9/12
Day 2 seemed to creep upon us as our final 3 age groups were looking to fly the flag and leave with silverware.
The U8’s kicked us off in fine fashion beating Margate 3-1 in the first group game. After a positive start in game 2, going a goal up, the young boys were hit with a dagger to the heart as the opposition scored 4 in quick succession to dampen the mood. However, S. Coleman pulled one back which would only be a consolation. The group finished with us playing our final game knowing a draw would be enough to make the semi's. Against an organised Catford side, the lads did enough, holding on to a 0-0 draw thus securing our place. We faced top of the opposite group in the semi final in what was a fantastic game, end to end which eventually ended up with a penalty shootout to decide the finalist. Flawless 3/3 pens meant the boys advanced into their 2nd final in as many weeks. The final started off as we hoped with the boys going 1-0 up early but moments before the end, dreams were shattered as we conceded to take the game to another shootout. This time it wasn’t to be as an unfortunate miss meant we finished 2nd overall. Again, runners up for the 2nd week in a row.
The U9s next and they were keen to carry on their form at professional grounds, winning the West Brom tournament prior. The group started with a draw, however in game 2 the boys turned it on after going a goal down, coming back to win 5-1. The final group game was just as good as the boys ran out 5-0 winners against Chelmsford City, eventually topping the group and into the semi's. The boys were also the team who scored the most goals in the group for the whole day across every age group!! The semi final was next on the agenda for the lads as they faced up to a really good European football academy side. The game ended in a draw meaning like the U8s, a shootout was on the cards. After some fantastic penalties the game entered sudden death and the U9 hero came in the form of goalkeeper A.Egglesden who dived to his left to tip the ball past the post meaning the boys advanced to the final. An upsetting end to the tournament for the lads, after going 1-0 down in the final, an almost stonewall penalty was turned away and the whistle blew shortly after meaning the boys finished runners up.
2 teams in the morning, 2 very unlucky results but nevertheless 2 finals- the lads should be very proud.
Our final age at Selhurst Park came in the form of the U12s- who were looking to hold onto the title of champions of Selhurst after winning the tournament last time. The lads started the group off with a 0-0 draw against a stubborn Reigate side. The lads then had to play F2 academy, who previously won 6-0, in which seemed to be a winner take all match. However the boys in that situation thrive and came out as 2-1 winners putting them in pole position for the semi's with a game to play. It was simply a case of draw or win to advance, but don’t lose. Nevertheless, the boys stuck to the game plan and rode out 1-0 winners advancing into the semi's in style - top of the group and unbeaten! The semi final came around and in the most bizarre circumstances the lads came away with a 3-1 win vs Ballers Academy, with only 4 players on the pitch against 5 for the opposition. However, the boys progressed to the final, completing the hattrick on the day of all teams in the final! The final game of the day saw a great game played and arguably the most unlucky as countless woodwork hits and near misses eventually would come round to bite us. The game finished a draw and it was to be penalties to decide our fate. With 6 flawless penalties and the opposition scoring in sudden death, the woodwork once again denied us and the game ended with the U12s runners up.
Overall an outstanding day for EMC Academy reaching 3 finals, 2 of which loosing on penalties. The boys flew the flag with pride and did extremely well.
We hope to bring back some silverware next time!!
