12/06/2026
We attended the Cheshire Sports Cup last weekend.
16 teams in our age group split into 4 groups of 4, playing 15 minutes one way
We started with a 2-0 win against Mynydd Isa. A team we have played before but not in 11-a-side format.
Notoriously slow to start, we settled really well and for half the game this was very even with not many chances.
After this we took control and got the ball into the box. Darragh got brought down for a penalty which Rhys dispatched high into the top left corner. 1-0
Our second goal was fantastic, sweeping from back top front.
Mason won the ball and gave it short to Max. Max back to Mason who played it into Hayden who outrageously turned two men and then the pitch opened up for him. He got his head up and played it out to the right wing where Tarik was steaming onto it and pulled it back in the box for Noah to put the ball in the bottom corner.
Great goal and a good way to start.
This performance gave us confidence going into the second game against Bunbury Youth.
We had heard they were going to try and make this a physical game but that never really materialised as they couldn't get close enough. We were in control of the game when Hayden popped the ball through for Darragh to run on to and clip the ball over the advancing goalkeeper. Great run from Darragh and a lovely finish. For a short period then they had the ball and we gave away a soft freekick on the edge of the box. The free kick was low and hard along the ground. Riley saw it a little too late, 1-1. We were then pressing really hard to re-establish the lead and it wasn't until the final minute that Hayden let fly from distance into the far corner to secure the winner. 2-1
Already secure of a spot in the quarter finals we came up against a big a physical side in Hyde United.
A slight change in formation for this game didn't quite work and we were not making the right decisions with the ball early on and were very quickly 2-0 down. We eventually did work the ball forward and made a few chances but with the games being so short we couldn't do much about it. The game was a bit physical, the referee was poor not seeing most of the antics and one of their mothers offered Dave a "scrap"!!
In the quarter finals we came up against FFF Blacks. I felt we were much the better team in this game. They scored with their only real chance. Again, the referee was poor. Noah was fouled at hip height and he gave a throw in.
One ball that went out for a corner, he gave as a goal kick. Pressing for a goal we pushed Rhys a little further forward. He got a chance when the ball came his way. He ended up being dragged back by the neck (!). Ref gave a yellow card and a free kick. The result free kick went over the ball and the goalkeeper pushed the ball onto the post which rebounded kindly along the line back into his hands. Noah then got a yellow card and sin binned for a miscommunication.
It wasn't to be and we lost 1-0
Overall, we gave a good account of ourselves playing 11-a-side.
All these other teams have been playing 11-aside for over a year and we are just getting used to it.
Let’s hope they keep working hard and listening in training and be ready for the next one!
PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT
Hayden Adamson (7)
Hayden was outstanding during tournament who show some very good moments of brilliance and creativity he also scored a screamer of a goal in the 2nd game and also a great assist
Well done mate keep this form up!!!
Forza Celts !!!
