The LD St Pauls Soccer Squad attended a tournament in Harrogate at the end of June - read below how they got on....

A record 60 teams took part in the tournament and it was interesting to learn from chatting to the Portsmouth coach that he was not aware of any similar event in the south of England and in fact a team from Holland was also taking part. It was well run although the presentations at the end were disorganised and the pitch on which our A team played was far to big (more suited to 7 a-side).   

 

 

Having won both of their assessment games, the Jersey A team was selected for the top Intermediate group of five teams. Although they only drew one game and lost three, there was little between any of the teams and their largest defeat of 2-0 by the eventual group winners was only because of two defensive mistakes. The young Jersey B team found themselves in a group of much older and physically larger players. They narrowly lost their first game 1-0 and then lost their second game 2-0 against the eventual group winners, but a good team performance in their other two games earned two draws.

 

 

 

Paddy had to be moved into the C team because Ryan Jones dislocated his knee during the assessment games. Ryan made no fuss and was taken to hospital and had the bone put back and heavily bandaged. In their group games, despite having the majority of the play they were robbed of their first two games by the opposition’s tactics of leaving a player ‘goal hanging’. The third game against Portsmouth C was also a close match ending 1-1. A brace of goals each from Simon Routier and Paddy O’Connor saw the team win their next match but with tired legs they were defeated 3-0 in their final game against Warrington C who won the group.

 

 

 

Despite only winning a few games I feel that the Jersey squad tried their hardest and believe that we are making definite progress. Overall, the event was a huge success and it is hoped that LD St Pauls can attend the 2009 event.

 

Le Tournoi are proud supporters of LD St Pauls and congratulate the lads on their sterling effort. The squad are going from strength to strength and under the leadership of Gary Norman, their new Head Coach, are a credit to Jersey soccer.