Strathburn P7 Tournament – Championes!!!!
It was a dull and breezy day that had a wee drop of rain to make the pitches just that little bit quicker than usual. The pitches were big and were in good condition for good football from all teams.11th May 2008
The Ospreys were up against the following teams in a 6-team league:
Kintore Madrid, Strathburn Stars, Market Place B, Kemnay and Oldmeldrum A, as you can see all these schools with a larger roll than ours (to say the least).
Our 1st game was against a big Market Place B team who along with our boys played some good football, however the ospreys deservedly took the lead early in the match and then could have added to the score line, however it remained 1-0 at the end. 1-0 win.
Next up was Kemnay (KPS Dons), they had won their previous match 1-0 like us, however the Ospreys were starting to find their range with the passing and shooting and soon it was 1-0 to the Ospreys. Again due to the tight times (7 mins per match) there was much time to ad to the score line, however the Ospreys were beginning to show their passing skills with keeping possession of the ball. 1-0 win.
Our next game was against Oldmeldrum A who had a different start to us, losing their first match and drawing the other, but they were a good team. In this game, all our players were beginning to play with confidence and with some great moves managed to score 4 goals in a 7 min period without reply. 4-0 win.
Next up was potentially a league decider with one game left to play. Kintore Madrid had played and won the same amount of matches as the Ospreys and liked to play football. The game kicked off and it was ‘hell for leather’ stuff and all the boys in both teams being fully committed. The Ospreys managed to score to make it 1-0 almost half way through the match, then Kintore broke with a high ball through the middle. Lewis came running out of goals and to clear the bouncing high ball, however the Kintore forward was also fully committed to winning to, Lewis being slightly quicker managed to get there first, with the Kintore forward clashing with Lewis head as he cleared. Once the game was stopped to ensure both players were ok, Lewis was fine however the Kintore player required to have his bleeding nose looked at. The game restarted and Ospreys although shocked held on to ensure a win. 1-0 win.
Our final game was against Strathburn Stars. They had played well all through their games with differing results but seemed determined that it wouldn’t be easy for the Ospreys. It wasn’t and although we eventually won 2-0 it was a hard fought game against a team that was looking to upset the league leaders. 2-0 win.
The Semi Final
As the Ospreys were the only team unbeaten they were through to the semi final, which was played against Strathburn Strikers. Most of the P7’s knew each other through their various training and playing with Colony. The semi final had to be played to a finish with a 7 min match, if no winner, then 2 mins golden goal rule applying, still if no winner penalties to decide who went through to the final.
You can tell that Strathburn were well up for it and they seemed to be first to every ball at the start of the game. Stuart used a couple of subs through the match however some great saves from Lewis in goal kept the Ospreys in the match until the final whistle blew. 0-0. The 2 mins for extra time just needed a goal to settle it, however Strathburn were first to again test Lewis who was strong and safe in goal. The Ospreys had a good shot from Joe saved also……………. It was penalties. Only the players left on the pitch at the final whistle could take a penalty, which can be very nerve racking for any player, however the Ospreys seemed to be more confident at taking the penalties. 1st up was Joe who smashed his penalty into the goal. Strathburn also scored theirs 1st one. Up stepped Josh who coolly slotted his pen away with Lewis diving brilliantly to save Strathburn’s (2-1 up). Next up was Alexander who was unlucky with his effort as their goalie made a good save, with Lewis doing the same with yet another save, still 2-1 up. Up stepped Jamie who finished his penalty with what seemed minimum of fuss, considering the pressure he must have felt (certainly more calm than any parent or coach watching on!), then Strathburn blew their chance of taking it down to the last penalty as again Lewis made yet another fine save………………. That was it over 3-1 in pens and the Ospreys were through to the final.
In the other semi final Newmachar and Insch met with Insch winning quite comfortably, with them having the ease of watching us in extra time and penalties.
The Final
The final was to be played over 10 mins (5 mins each way), again 2 mins extra time if needed and again penalties if needed.
The final got under way and after one of two hard challenges the game settled with the Ospreys managing to get the lead their passing play deserved when Jamie finished within the box. 1-0 to the Ospreys. However Insch were a strong and determined team and also played some good football, with a move almost ending up in our goal, again Lewis called into play with a good save. There were a few half chances created before half time but the score remained 1-0 to the Ospreys. The start of the 2nd half and the Ospreys were playing down the slight slope and this seemed to give them more pressure going forward and were able to create a couple of chances with one ending up with a corner being conceded by Insch. Joe swung in a great wee corner with Josh rushing to the near post to delightfully flick our 2nd goal in past the helpless goalie as there was nothing he could do with that great finish. Tried as they did Insch just couldn’t break through a defence that was well marshalled throughout the tournament, which saw the Ospreys not concede a goal the whole tournament from open play, which we were the only team to do so in the competition.
It was a great effort from 7 boys who were always trying to do the correct thing in passing the ball and the goals that were scored were all good passing moves and shots and what can you say about not conceding a goal the whole tournament (great defence). The team was as follows:
Lewis Boyle (Goalie most of the tournament 0 goals conceded, scored 1 goal)
Joe Burr (scored 4 goals)
Josh Foreman (goalie in one game scored 2 goals)
Alexander Rothnie (defender and goalie in one game 0 goals conceded)
Jamie Mair (scored 4 goals)
Euan Seaton (contributed well to the team and assisted the defence and midfield 0 goals conceded)
Michael Duncan (contributed well to the team and assisted the defence and midfield 0 goals conceded)
Results:
Market Place B 0 1 Old Rayne Ospreys
Old Rayne Ospreys 1 0 KPS Dons
Old Rayne Ospreys 4 0 Oldmeldrum A
Kintore Madrid 0 1 Old Rayne Ospreys
Strathburn Stars 0 2 Old Rayne Ospreys
Semi Final:
Strathburn Strikers 0 0 Old Rayne Ospreys
(0-0 after extra time)
(Old Rayne Ospreys won 3-1 on pens)
Final:
Insch 0 2 Old Rayne Ospreys
Well done to all the boys who gave their all and truly deserved their final place and winners trophies. Also thank you to all the parents and those who stayed on to cheer on the school in the semi and final, very much appreciated by the coaches.
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