Carmarthen Under-15s win in Europe!
The Carmarthen Town Football Academy Under 15s European mission to Holland was an outstanding success.
The youngsters landed the prestigious Geusselt Cup in a very challenging tournament in Maastricht.
The competition, organised by three Dutch football clubs and the City of Maastricht, is in its 18th year.
There were more than 100 teams taking part, both male and female participants at different age groups, from all over Northern Europe.
The Carmarthen boys were pitched against opposition from Holland and Denmark in the group stages with results as follows:-
Won 4 – 0 against Danish team Farvang IF2
Won 2 – 0 against Dutch team RKVVL Polaris
Won 4 – 1 against Dutch team SEV
Drew 2 – 2 with Danish side Haverslev IF/IK Sylvia Ravnkilde
With Carmarthen finishing in top spot in their group, the boys then faced the best second-placed team from the three qualifying pools.
Dutch club SV Meerssen were the opponents in the semi-final in very cold and wet weather conditions on a difficult playing surface.
Despite the conditions, the boys put on a good footballing display and a first-half goal from a free kick by Nick Rees and some stout and dogged defending by Carmarthen saw them deservedly through to the final.
The other finalists were the Danish team Svendborg FB, who had not dropped a point or conceded a goal during the whole competition.
A closely fought final then ensued with Carmarthen making all the running but unable to capitalise on their chances and the game ended in a 0–0 draw.
With the result now to be settled on penalties, Carmarthen made the worst possible start and quickly trailed by two penalties after having missed their opening shots.
Then a fine save by goalkeeper Ashlee Jones and a miss by the opposition, together with three well slotted penalties from the boys saw the penalties tied at three a piece.
Sudden death penalties saw Luke Squires fire and score his penalty low and hard to the keeper’s right.
Then a fine save by Ashlee Jones at full stretch saw Carmarthen as lift the coveted Geusselt trophy.
Goalkeeper Ashlee Jones later went on to receive the ‘Player of the Tournament’ from his Academy coaches for his competent and mature performances.
The Academy team at under 15 level is made up of boys from Carmarthen, Drefach, Llandovery , Llandeilo, St Clears and Llanelli areas.
Carmarthen Town and Wales were well and truly on the Maastricht football map following the Competition and with each of the nineteen man squad giving a good account of themselves and playing entertaining and delightful two touch football.
With great support from parents in the travelling fan club, all eyes are firmly set on the new season approaching and the Under 16s League and Cup Competitions.
Ray Squires is the head coach and organiser, with support from Paul Phillips and Gary Sloan.
Unfortunately, Paul was unable to travel due to his important responsibility as a new grandfather after his son Joel and partner became parents. Congratulations to them. Keiran Davies took his place as coach.
Winners: The Carmarthen team with the Geusselt Trophy.
For more pictures, see -
http://picasaweb.google.com/robertapvincent/CarmarthenAFCUnder15s#
The youngsters landed the prestigious Geusselt Cup in a very challenging tournament in Maastricht.
The competition, organised by three Dutch football clubs and the City of Maastricht, is in its 18th year.
There were more than 100 teams taking part, both male and female participants at different age groups, from all over Northern Europe.
The Carmarthen boys were pitched against opposition from Holland and Denmark in the group stages with results as follows:-
Won 4 – 0 against Danish team Farvang IF2
Won 2 – 0 against Dutch team RKVVL Polaris
Won 4 – 1 against Dutch team SEV
Drew 2 – 2 with Danish side Haverslev IF/IK Sylvia Ravnkilde
With Carmarthen finishing in top spot in their group, the boys then faced the best second-placed team from the three qualifying pools.
Dutch club SV Meerssen were the opponents in the semi-final in very cold and wet weather conditions on a difficult playing surface.
Despite the conditions, the boys put on a good footballing display and a first-half goal from a free kick by Nick Rees and some stout and dogged defending by Carmarthen saw them deservedly through to the final.
The other finalists were the Danish team Svendborg FB, who had not dropped a point or conceded a goal during the whole competition.
A closely fought final then ensued with Carmarthen making all the running but unable to capitalise on their chances and the game ended in a 0–0 draw.
With the result now to be settled on penalties, Carmarthen made the worst possible start and quickly trailed by two penalties after having missed their opening shots.
Then a fine save by goalkeeper Ashlee Jones and a miss by the opposition, together with three well slotted penalties from the boys saw the penalties tied at three a piece.
Sudden death penalties saw Luke Squires fire and score his penalty low and hard to the keeper’s right.
Then a fine save by Ashlee Jones at full stretch saw Carmarthen as lift the coveted Geusselt trophy.
Goalkeeper Ashlee Jones later went on to receive the ‘Player of the Tournament’ from his Academy coaches for his competent and mature performances.
The Academy team at under 15 level is made up of boys from Carmarthen, Drefach, Llandovery , Llandeilo, St Clears and Llanelli areas.
Carmarthen Town and Wales were well and truly on the Maastricht football map following the Competition and with each of the nineteen man squad giving a good account of themselves and playing entertaining and delightful two touch football.
With great support from parents in the travelling fan club, all eyes are firmly set on the new season approaching and the Under 16s League and Cup Competitions.
Ray Squires is the head coach and organiser, with support from Paul Phillips and Gary Sloan.
Unfortunately, Paul was unable to travel due to his important responsibility as a new grandfather after his son Joel and partner became parents. Congratulations to them. Keiran Davies took his place as coach.
Winners: The Carmarthen team with the Geusselt Trophy.
For more pictures, see -
http://picasaweb.google.com/robertapvincent/CarmarthenAFCUnder15s#
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