Beechfield Tournament June 2008

Bury under 12's (Season 2007/08) entered two teams for this event due to the restriction of only being able to take 10 players, this way all players who were available to play could. Both teams picked marbles out of a bag at training to decide which team you went in. Anyway both teams were more or less equal and both teams having no subs whatsoever. Diana's team of Melissa, Holly, Charlotte, Courtney, Jenna and Nicola first played Medlock Rangers and we easily bossed them off the ball and the more talented Bury side took a comfortable 1-0 win but it should of been a lot more. The second game was against Barr Hill and we were getting in our rhythm and came out and took control, played them off the park and took a 2-0 nil win. The third game was against Moston Valley Angels who we knew were going to be a tougher test, we knew we had to turn it on in this game and show them who were the better outfit and we did just that and ended the game as 1-0 winners. The fourth game against Beechfield Storm was a formality for Bury and completely destroyed the opposition 5-0 nil . Diana's team are now into the quarter finals and played against the Beechfield Tornados from the other league. The games are now tough and we want to get to the semis and then to the final so it was a must win game and no silly mistakes and everything went to plan and Bury also won this game 2-0 nil to set up a semi final against Moston Valley Angels who we had already beaten 1-0 nil in the heats . Up to now we have played five games , won five games and are comfortable we will reach the final. Game on and both teams get stuck in but with the Bury the team on top and just waiting for our team to score, then out of the blue Moston hit us were it hurts most and that's the back of the net. Bury piled it on but couldn't convert and then the ref award Moston a free kick on the edge of the Bury area for no apparent reason and they then scored from an acute angle of which the Bury keeper somehow turned into her own net. It was game over for Bury who were clearly the better side but credit to Moston who fought tooth and nail and got the win to take them to the final.

Lucy's team of Hannah, Mairead, Naomi, Ellie, Lizzie and Emily also got off to a flying start by easily beating Walshaw Sports 4-0 nil and looking absolutely awesome. The second game and no time to take the foot off the gas was against Beechfield Tornados another 4-0 nil win and had eyebrows raising around the ground. The third game was against Moston Valley Saints who also looked a complete outfit with natural footballers. This was always going to be tough and both teams not giving a inch and a game which eventually ended 0-0 but not for the lack of trying. This draw put Lucy's team into the quarter finals and Medlock Rangers were the opposition of which Diana's team had beaten 1-0 in the heats so Lucy's team were very confident of a win. Game on and Bury took immediate control and again looked the complete side and grafted for each other and eventually took a 1-0 win to go to the semi final against Barr Hill. Diana's team had beaten Barr Hill 2-0 in the heats so Lucy and her team knew they had the beating of Barr Hill but couldn't take it for granted and work had to work like trojans for the result they needed. Barr Hill upped the stakes and gave Bury a very tough game but Bury upped the anty and eventually wore down Barr Hill to take a deserved 1-0 win to reach the final.

final.. Bury Girls v Moston Valley Angels

Bury flew out of the blocks and Moston were immediately on the back foot. Bury played near perfect football and passed and moved with ease and had shot after shot hit posts, crossbar and everywhere else apart from back of the net. Moston just couldn't get out of their own half and defended for most of the match and had a few efforts at goal but Bury's keeper handled them superbly. Bury piled the pressure on but just couldn't convert and the game was heading for extra time. Extra time started and Bury started were they had ended and bombarded the Moston goal but Bury just couldn't bag a goal and now time was running out and we were heading for penalties. The final whistle after extra time and its 0-0 and now its time for the dreaded penalty shootout. We all know penalty shoot outs are heart in the mouth stuff and anyway its quite hard to take when you haven't lost a game all day and you end up losing on penalties 3-2. But hats off to Moston who kept composed and only missed one penalty. Well done Bury girls, you did us proud again. A really big thanks go to you all and a massive thank you must go to the parents who come week after week and stand there and cheer the team on and who applaud their girls when they are collecting there runners up trophies on stage after giving their all for the sport they love. Boo hoo to the parents who left and couldn't be bothered to attend the trophy presentation of the girls from our own club.

Thanks to Hannah and Mairead who took the net between them for Lucy's team, you did a great job.