Junior reds entered two under 15 teams into the Parkwood Rangers FC tournament. The two teams were made up of players from U15 Valiants and U15 Warriors. The teams entered were called Junior Reds Whites and Junior Reds Arrows. Both teams progressed exceptionally well in the tournament, but were unfortunately drawn against against each other in the semi final stages of the competition. JR Arrows won the semi final after a penalty shoot out and progressed to the final where they met Kingfisher FC. The final was a close fought affair and finished 1-1 after extra time which meant another penalty shoot out for the boys. Again the boys were cool under pressure and scored all five penalties and our keeper saved two penalties also.
FULL MATCH REPORT
Junior reds entered a mixture of the under 15 Valiants and Warriors (Junior reds white/Arrows managed by Mark and Paul) into the annual 6 a side Parkwood Rangers Festival of mini Soccer tournament. We have a good record in this competition having walked away victors last season. Junior reds were looking to seal first and second place this year by entering two teams, some would say we were pushing our luck.
The Group stage:
Junior reds arrows drew one game having conceding an equaling goal in the dying minute of their first game. The arrows finally settled into the tournament and played attractive quick confident football and won the following games. Drawing the first game meant they could only qualify if the last game didn’t have a three goal margin in favour of our closest rivals as only group winners go through to the next round. Junior red whites also had a similar outcome winning three and drawing one game but once again their superior goal tally against the other teams ushered them into the semi-finals.
The semi-finals:
Unfortunately both junior reds teams had to face each other, the hope of 1st and 2nd were dashed and only one team progressed to the final. The boy’s no longer considered themselves part of the same club and thought of getting into the final drove both teams to play a cagey game where defense was key and neither team conceded a goal in full time and with change after full time the difference between the two teams could only be decided on penalties.
The final:
Junior Reds met Kingfisher in the final. Kingfisher scored from a set play, a great run by the striker to lose his marker and score at the near post. It was now squeaky bum time and we needed to get a goal back and a great goal it was. A low driven shot from near the halfway line through bodies ensuring the keeper saw the shot late and was stranded. We once again saw a match go into extra time but the score line did not’ change and once again we had to go to penalties. I’d say Junior reds had taken a page out of the German book of penalty taking in finals, we scored all our penalties and our keeper saved two of kingfishers whilst one was skied way over the crossbar.
Two years in a row Junior Reds have walked away with the winners trophy at Parkwood, we’ve a few more tournaments this summer lets hope we can keep up this winning streak.
Congratulations boys for winning this tournament for the second year running.
