Patcham United Tournament - Under 10's
Sunday 26th August 2007

Is it the end of one season – or the beginning of the next?! I don’t really care as this was without doubt one of the best tournaments I have been to for a long time! We scratched together a team as it’s always difficult to get players around bank holiday weekends, but the team – woah, they are gonna be hot this coming season.

In goal we had the newest member of the wide awake club with Chloe. She did well, with the occasional lapse in concentration, but it was hot so she can be forgiven. In defence we had May, who has definitely grown during the summer and Ocean who is twice Mays height so needs to stop growing!! In the middle of the park were Jessica (when she could stop eating!) and Hannah – who looked like she was going to war she tackled so hard! Finally completing the game upfront (and in the middle and occasionally at the back) were Katie and Charlie who between them scored an amazing 11 goals!!!!

The girls started slowly losing the first game 0-2 against Patcham Amber but against Eastbourne Red they started to threaten but still just ended up drawing 0-0. Then all hell let lose and the girls went on a winning streak, BANG – 4-0 against Eastbourne Blue, BANG – 4-0 against Seahaven Harriers, BANG – 4-0 against Newhaven Girls. It was fantastic to watch with all of the girls playing an important part in every game. Ocean finally got her first goal for the club (a neat volley from a Katie cross), May ALMOST got her first goal for the club, whilst Katie and Charlie pretty much continued from last season. There then followed an unlucky 1-0 lose to Patcham Black but by then the girls were running out of energy and were beaten in the semi final 0-4.

Individually and as a team the girls were just brilliant – I’m gonna enjoy watching more of them this season….

Thanks to all their parents for their support and for the weather!!!!

Paul

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Brockham Badgers Tournament - Under 10's and Under 11's
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June 2007

Under 10's team: Hannah, Katie, Amy, Ellie, Chloe, Charly, Leonie

Under 11's team: Ocean, Olivia, May, Jess M, Chloe, Megan

Apart from being quite a distance away plus the weather looking awful – Brockham 07 turned out to be a very satisfying tournament for the goals.

On Saturday our U10 and U14 teams were in action, both teams putting in some great performances despite the early downfall. The U14’s have really progressed over the last couple of months and it was also refreshing to watch them in action against some new teams. Despite drawing their first game 0-0, they were soon challenging for the top of their group table (including a 6-0 win AND another goal for Emily Bridgman!!!) and eventually progressed to the semi final were they where they were unfortunate to lose on penalties.

The U10’s struggled a little against some older (and much bigger) players and as there were only four teams in the group then there was no final to be played. However the girls (and the clubs) sporting pedigree showed through and the girls were rewarded with the “Fair Play Award”.

On the Sunday the weather had improved and despite having only just enough players to put a team out, Sarah’s U11’s started brightly drawing their first game. However, this group comprised of both U11 and U12 teams, which was unusual and presented real problems for the players. Ocean played through a nasty knee injury and poor Chloe had her hand bent back hard in goal which prevented her from taking part in the final game. Despite some interesting off field activity, the girls had a great day out and were rewarded with another Fair Play Award – making it three so far this season.

Well done to all the players and thank you to the parents who made the long journey. With lots of side attractions, plus the chance to compete against teams from across the South – this is a tournament we will hopefully attend every year.

Paul Cartwright, Club Coach

Brockham Badgers Tournament - Under 14's
Saturday 16th June 2007

Team: Sharni, Beth, Harriet, Nat, Paige, Jade, Crystal, Emily and Emily

What a tournament! The players excelled throughout, took my breath away and enthralled and entertained the travelling supporters.

In keeping with our previous tournaments, we started with a 0-0 draw, despite dominating possession for large parts of the game and peppering the opponent’s goal. But that was where the similarity ended….

The next game saw the girls overcome the opposition and score 6 (count ‘em, six) goals into the bargain. It didn’t end there; the next two games saw us win 2-0 and 3-0 respectively with a fluidity and determination that was a joy to observe.

I was truly excited and all the supporters felt that it was no less than the girls deserved based upon increasingly competent performances in each of the previous two tournaments. In our last group game we played the only team in the group with a 100% record. We started well and were every bit a match for the previously unbeaten team. However, when they took the lead at 1-0, our team looked quite dejected and, probably as a result, they extended their lead just before the end to win 2-0.

On reflection, the loss to this team was probably more from a psychological than an ability standpoint. A quick lesson in maintaining a positive attitude and remembering that if they can score, then so can we. Next time, I’m sure that it would be a different result and we certainly had the ability to have earned a draw. A draw that, with hindsight, would have stood us in good stead for the next game, the semi-final.

We played a team called Ashington Angels in the semi final, a team we had beaten convincingly 2-0 in the group match. However, the girls seemed to enter the match a little nervously and obviously very conscious of the fact that it was a semi-final. I had tried to focus attention on the fact that it was just another game; same rules, same pitch, same ball and same opponents that we had already beaten 2-0. Unfortunately this was initially misinterpreted as my feeling that the game was unimportant. This was not the case though and I merely wanted the players to focus on playing as they had throughout the tournament to this point.

Sadly, though, the game eluded us and although we had enough of the game our collective nervousness meant that we weren’t able to get the ball into our opponents’ net, although in truth, they rarely troubled ours. At 0-0 we went into a 2 minutes each way extra time and were still unable to notch a score.

And so to penalties. Eager as ever, five hands went up quickly to volunteer for the shoot-in and I am in complete admiration of all those who volunteered. Sadly, though it wasn’t our day and our opponents seized their chance and progressed to the final. They eventually lost to Worthys who were the only team to have beaten us on the day and against whom, I was convinced, we would have had a different result in the final.

So, to sum up, 6 games, 11 goals for with only 2 against, 3 wins, 2 draws and only 1 loss. A fantastically entertaining day and, I hope, all the players enjoyed themselves.

I always find it incongruous to single out individuals in a team game, but there are some who merit special mention. Paige, who, despite suffering a nasty back injury, desperately tried to carry on and help her team mates.

Sharni, who sat out the semi-final on a rota basis and demonstrated true leadership qualities by actively supporting her team mates, encouraging those who took penalties and being genuinely excited throughout the whole proceedings. A truly outstanding and excellent job by the regular team captain.
Emily Bridgman who, having volunteered her turn in goal, then gave up her space for the good of the team and took a place as sub because she perceived that a team mate could offer the team a better chance in this specialist position. Again, a stance of complete selflessness and in the face of which I felt most humble.

Finally, the sponsors and organisers of the event had kindly donated a prize for each team of a brand new match ball for the Player of the Tournament. It was down to the manager to choose that player. In addition to the instances I have mentioned here, there were excellent performances from each of the other players involved on the day. However, one player had an absolutely outstanding tournament, in my view and dominated her opponents whenever the opportunity presented itself. She played mainly in defence and demonstrated skill, passing the ball out of defence where possible and defending resolutely where that was necessary. She was quick, strong and determined in the tackle and often beat her opponent to the ball before they even had chance to control it. To cap it all, when rolled back on as a substitute in midfield in one game, she ghosted past an opponent and buried the ball in the far bottom corner of the net.

So my choice as our player of the tournament, in a team full of excellent performances, was Emily Blake.

All in all, an excellent tournament. Thank you girls and Very Well Done.

Steve Phythian - Under 14's Manager

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Eastbourne Borough Youth Tournament
Sunday 3rd June 2007

Under 10's

Players: Amy, Charlie, Chloe, Ellen, Ellie, Hannah, Katie, Leonie, Tegan

The U10's second tournament of the year again saw some great games and plenty of goals.

The day started with a 4- 0 win over Worthing and was followed by another 4 goals in a 4-1 win over Jarvis Brook. The girls were playing some great passing football and this enabled them to go on to score another 4 goals against Newhaven. The next game was against one of the Patcham sides & this was a really closely fought game which end in a fair 0-0 draw, although both teams came close to scoring several times.

Our final game in the group was against the home team Eastbourne, this was a great game with both teams going for the win with two fairly evenly matched teams, however despite 2 great goals Eastbourne came out on top 3-2 winners.

Our ability to score 14 goals & only conceding 4 in 5 games not only shows the ability the goals have in going forward it also shows that as a team they defend well & don't like conceding goals.

We then played Pevensey in the Semi Final where despite a really determined performance by all the girls we lost out 4-1.

Whilst giving credit to all the goal scorers Katie 5, Chloe 4, Elle 2, Charlie 2 & Amy 2, equal credit goes to Hannah, Ellie, Tegan & Leoni for their contributions in all the games with some excellent defending & ball distribution, & a special thank you to all those who went in goal.

Finally a big thank you to all the family & friends who were there to support & encourage the girls.

Under 14's

Players: Abi, Beth, Crystal, Emily, Harriet, Jade, Sharni

A sunny day at Eastbourne with an occasional rolling sea mist saw another competent performance in our second tournament in a month.

Sadly, we had one team short in our age group and therefore only played four games instead of the anticipated five.

Our first game was against the strongest team in the group, Eastbourne Borough and we were a little slow to start, to be honest. With 5 minutes each way, there was little time to be lost in each game.

However, our players eased themselves into the game and after two or three minutes were every bit as competitive as our opponents.
Eastbourne could not make any headway in the early stages and our own positive play, skill and commitment caused them as many problems as they caused us.

Eastbourne ran out 1-0 winners in the end as a result of a well delivered corner and a late quick run by Lily to meet the ball in the front half of the goal. Having said that, it still needed a deflection to take the ball past Crystal, who had a fine game in goal.

Our next games against Newhaven and Polegate Grasshoppers were much the same as games in our own tournament three weeks earlier. We drew 0-0 in each of the games, despite having more than our share of the play and coming mightily close to registering wins.

Our final game of the four saw us dominate most of the play and the game against East Grinstead and deservedly took the lead when Abi (who can’t play in midfield, apparently! : - ) played a good through ball for Crystal to slide into the net.
EG never gave up, though, and scored an equaliser, possibly slightly against the run of play, to eke out a draw.

So, four games played, only two goals conceded and only one loss, which was similar to our own tournament where we only lost one game and drew the other four.

I am delighted to say that ALL the players acquitted themselves very well and I am impressed that the girls took it in turns to have a stint in goal. I know it’s not easy when you prefer the outfield, but, honestly, there are at least three players who are more than capable of developing into good goalkeepers if they chose to do so.

In team games it’s always hard to single out players for individual praise but I really felt Emily had a great tournament, both in midfield as well as taking her turn in goal. Jade continued her good form since returning from injury at the end of the season and in playing in midfield in the last two tournaments is adding another string to her bow.

So, all in all, I was impressed by the technical competence of all the players, the development they are all showing on their understanding of the game and their readiness to play in different positions. Their commitment and work rate (apart from the first two or three minutes!) was first class, although, to be honest, that’s the least that they should expect of themselves. Another tournament in a couple of weeks at Brockham should allow the players a further opportunity for improvement.

Well done girls!

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Dynamo Girls FC Football Festival
Sunday 19th May 2007

Under 10's, U11's, U12's and U14's

Despite there being some other kind of football match going on somewhere in London this afternoon (!), the first Dynamo tournament was hailed as a tremendous success.

The Under 10's entertained teams from Eastbourne Borough, Newhaven Girls, Patcham United Red, Patcham United Blue, Pink Ladies and Sovereign Saints. As I believe is customary, the girls had a slow start but soon recovered to get through to the semi-final stage and they managed to score a magnificent 14 goals on their way there. They were beaten 2-0 by Patcham United Red in the semi-final who then went on to the final only to lose in a tense penalty shoot out to a jubilant Eastbourne Borough.

The Under 11's had Eastbourne Borough, Horsham Sparrows, Newhaven Girls, Polegate Grasshoppers and Seahaven Harriers in their group and although they lost most of their games, they secured a much deserved draw against Newhaven and were awarded the Fair Play team of the Day Award as nominated by the referees of the age group. The eventual winners were Horsham Sparrows.

The Under 12's were amongst Eastbourne Borough, Horsham Sparrows, Polegate Grasshoppers, Seahaven Harriers, Spartan and TD Shipley. After a slowish start they managed to do enough to secure a place in the semi-finals only to be beaten by Eastbourne Borough who went on to win the group.

The Under 14's had difficult opponents with East Grinstead, Hangleton Rangers, Newhaven Girls, Pink Ladies and Seahaven Harriers. However, they only conceeded one goal throughout the day, finishing with four draws and just one defeat to Seahaven Harriers. Unfortunately, the lack of any goals being scored resulted in narrowly missing out on reaching the semi-finals. Local rivals Seahaven Harriers and Newhaven Girls met each other in the final with Seahaven Harriers running out eventual winners with a 1-0 win in extra time. Newcomers, The Pink Ladies, were awarded the Fair Play Award for the U14 age group.

The Club also had a range of stalls including the 'Dynamo Deli' run by Karen McKellar and family, a sweet stall, face painting, balloon race, bouncy castle and others. There were various competitions going on around the arena including a SAQ challenge, obstacle course, guess how many balls in the car, spot the ball as well as a Grand Raffle in which some great prizes were won.

Many thanks to all who helped make the day happen including all eight referees, St John's Ambulance, Garry & Karen McKellar, Alan Burr, Steve & Shelley Phythian, Sarah Mingaye, Terry Cox, Andrew & Sara Stuart, Elaine French, Adrian & Tracy Pinkus, Dee Walder, Claire Letang, Gill Duchossoy, Mark Jackson, Mandy Harris, Diane Brierton, The Perkins family, Daniel Watson and of course Paul Cartwright who as ever was the driving force behind getting the event off the ground. Many apologies to anyone that I have left off the list.

Thank you also to the generous sponsors including Elite Foods, Wisden Packaging, Premier Sports & Leisure, Star Cars, Lewes DC, Wyevale Grounds Maintenance, Newhaven Chamber of Commerce, Newhaven Peacehaven & Seaford Lions Club & St Nicholas Church.

In summary, it appeared that everyone had a good day and enjoyed themselves, despite the breezy conditions that threatened to blow absolutely everthing away at one point! Thanks to all the teams that entered and took part and seemed to abide by the rules of fair play and thank you for being so tidy - the pitches were completely free of litter when you left!

I hope this is the first of many and thanks once again to all who took part and all those who made it happen.

Ruth Watson, Club Secretary

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