14/06/2026
🐯🧡🖤 U13 Blacks Epworth Colts Tournament Champions! 🏆⚽️ 🖤🧡🐯
Following a season that has seen far more downs than ups, last weekend's tournament at North Duffield proved to be the perfect warm-up for this weekend's trip to the Epworth Colts Tournament at Epworth Showground. ⚽️🔥
It was a cool and windy morning, but the conditions were ideal for football, even if it was a little chilly for the supporters watching from the sidelines! 🌬️🥶
The two favourites to win the cup had both been drawn in Group A, meaning the Tigers 🐯 would avoid them in the group stages and only potentially face them later in the tournament if they progressed that far.
With only the top two teams advancing to the Champions League semi-finals, Goole also knew there was the possibility of reaching the Europa League semi-finals by finishing third or fourth. One thing the boys were determined to avoid was finishing fifth or sixth, which would mean an early exit from the competition.
The group stage matches were just 12 minutes long, one way. In football, that isn't much time at all, meaning anything could happen. With that in mind, the Tigers came out full of energy and determination, giving everything from the very first whistle of Match One. 🐯💪⚽️
🐯 Match 1: Goole Tigers 1-0 App Frod Saints
The opening battle was against App Frod Saints from Brigg, who would eventually finish second in the group. A single goal from Seth, assisted by Charlie, secured the Tigers' first three points of the day. ⚽️👏
The team showed tremendous energy throughout, while Dexter produced an outstanding performance in goal, making multiple saves and ensuring any potential threats were dealt with comfortably. 🧤🧡
🐯 Match 2: Goole Tigers 1-0 Westcliffe Warriors
With 30-minute breaks between games, maintaining momentum both physically and mentally can be difficult. However, unlike previous tournaments, the boys seemed to have found the perfect recipe to stay focused and ready. 💪🔥
Another hard-fought victory followed against Westcliffe Warriors. Deacon was quickest to react after Caua's shot had been parried by the goalkeeper, firing home the winner and securing another three valuable points. ⚽️👏
The Tigers once again displayed excellent passing, communication and teamwork in another impressive performance. 🐯🖤
🐯 Match 3: Goole Tigers 0-0 Retford
Retford were next up against the seemingly unstoppable Tigers. Although Goole couldn't find a way past Retford's impressive goalkeeper, who produced save after save in this thrilling encounter, the Tigers' defence stood equally strong.
The Blacks formed a formidable barrier at the back, ensuring Retford also couldn't find the breakthrough. The Tigers were extremely unlucky not to win the game, but the boys were pleased to add another point to their growing tally at the top of the table. 🧡🖤
🐯 Match 4: Goole Tigers 2-0 Clee Meggies Blue
Next came Clee Meggies Blue, a side that had looked strong in their previous matches.
The game was finely balanced until the Tigers were awarded a penalty. Kruz stepped up and confidently smashed the ball into the bottom-left corner. 🎯⚽️
The Blues were then given a chance to equalise from the spot themselves, but Dexter had other ideas. His brilliant save was followed by a vital clearance from Baxter to preserve the lead. 🧤🙌
Later, Dylan added a second goal to put the result beyond doubt and seal another excellent victory for the Tigers. ⚽️🔥
🐯 Match 5: Goole Tigers 0-0 Healing Hotspurs
With a Champions League semi-final place already secured, the Tigers refused to take their foot off the gas against a talented Healing Hotspurs side that had impressed earlier in the day.
Another disciplined defensive display resulted in a goalless draw and another valuable point. Jensen also showed tremendous maturity and composure by refusing to react to provocation from opposition spectators. 👏🧡
🏆 Champions League Semi-Final
🐯 Goole Tigers 1-0 Crowle Colts
Having topped Group B, the Tigers faced Group A runners-up Crowle Colts in the semi-final.
The boys once again poured every ounce of heart, determination and spirit into the game. ❤️🖤🧡
The match remained goalless halfway through, and it seemed as though only a moment of magic would separate the teams.
That moment soon arrived.
The Tigers won a free-kick just outside Dexter's penalty area. Dexter launched a superb ball upfield into the opposition box, perfectly weighted for Caua, who was sprinting towards goal. 🧤🚀⚽️
The Crowle goalkeeper looked favourite to collect the ball, but Caua timed his run perfectly and got just enough of a touch with his head to redirect it beyond the stunned goalkeeper and into the net! 🤯⚽️🐯
Crowle pushed hard for an equaliser, but the Tigers remained organised, focused and resilient to see out a fantastic victory.
🏆 Champions League Final
🐯 Goole Tigers 3-2 Epworth Colts (after penalties)
The final saw the Tigers face the hosts, Epworth Colts, in what proved to be a fiercely contested and physical encounter. ⚔️⚽️
Despite both teams creating opportunities, neither side could find the breakthrough and the match ended goalless.
Penalties would decide the champions. 😬
Jensen and Caua both confidently converted their spot-kicks, while Dexter produced two outstanding saves. With Epworth also missing one penalty, the shootout stood level at 2-2 and moved into sudden death.
Then came the defining moment.
Dexter calmly stepped forward and buried his penalty before coolly saving Epworth's next effort to secure a dramatic 3-2 shootout victory! 🧤⚽️🏆🔥
🏆 TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! 🏆
The Tigers finished the day as tournament champions, undefeated throughout the entire competition and without conceding a single goal. 🐯🧡🖤
An incredible achievement from every single player.
✅ Tournament Winners
✅ Undefeated All Day
✅ No Goals Conceded
✅ Champions League Winners 🏆
What a fantastic day for the players, coaches, parents and supporters. A performance full of teamwork, determination, resilience and Tiger spirit from start to finish.
Well done, Tigers! 🐯🧡🖤🏆⚽️🔥
