Skelmersdale Athletic Football T

If you could ever have the toughest of tough tournaments with the ultimate top teams taking part well this was it. The world cup of Under 12s girls football gives you a general idea. Twelve teams of league leaders and cup winners and academy sides.

Bury's first game was against Wigan who were the only team who we knew and we knew it would be a hard fought game. Bury wanted a good start and were comfy on the ball and then took a deserved lead with a goal from just outside the area and a game were our keeper didn't actually have the ball once, brilliant it was .

Next up for Bury were a team we didn't know but who were Liverpool County FA champions. Thingwall were a very big physical team but Bury also like the physical side of things as well. Bury struggled to find their feet in this game and within a minute or three had given away a penalty after their player did a 'Ronaldo'. Penalty scored and one nil down was the wake up call Bury needed and pressed the Thingwall defence to their limits but just couldn't find the back of the net and then out of the blue disaster struck and we were hit on the break and 2-0 down and we just couldn't recover from it and Thingwall took the win and a deserved win to be honest.

Bury's 3rd game was against The Fillies, another top scouse team and Bury knew we couldn't afford to lose another game or we would be off home early. This game was a bit of a scare for Bury as we think the ref was in their pocket as we didn't get a single decision once the entire game. This didn't matter as Bury kept their shape and played them off the park, then unleashed the winner which wasn't to the plans of The Fillies who wouldn't shake hands after the game. some people just can't handle a sound thrashing. Next outing was against more scousers in the name of Athletico and Bury were easily the better side and put together some absolute brilliant passing. Before ending and winning this game one nil.

Bury's last game of the group stages was against Skelmersdale Athletic who hosted the event and Bury still had to win this game to be sure of qualification to the semis. Bury were now getting in the stride of things and with a strategy of no mercy went out and took complete control. Bury ended this game as three nil winners and were now on their way to the semis.

Come on you shakers.

Bury were drawn against one of the top teams in the country who very rarely lose, Newcastle United's academy side. They looked the complete outfit and had come down in their own coach and had stayed the night in a top hotel. This team hadn't been beaten all day and finished top of their group. Was this going to be Bury's last stand and the mighty shakers be shot down and shown as the red rag to the bull. You must be joking. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, guess who turned Newcastle United's dreams into a nigtmare. I tell you who, Bury Girls under 12s did, that's who, with probably one of the best games of footy you could ever witness. It was pure class and a credit to every girl on the team, who rolled their sleeves up, dug deep and got stuck in and wanted it like nothing else. (I nearly shed a tear). One nil winners and we were in the final. T

The final was pure class and played on a pitch of bowling green standard and our opponents were the team that had earlier beaten us in the group stages Thingwall. Both teams were lead out to the European Cup final anthem and each player had their numbers and names shouted out over the tannoy and probably to a crowd of a couple of hundred people and as some of the players mentioned that they were very nervous and hadn't been in a match of this importance ever. Game on and Bury gave their all but maybe the occasion got to them or just maybe Thingwall were the better team on the day as Bury's dreams finally ended and in a great spirited match we were beaten 1-0 in a great final and at a great tournament that lasted all day. Was it worth it. To right. An absolute fantastic display of football and a great thanks to all the girls and their families for a great day and especially to Skem Athletic for putting on a brilliant tournament.