FULLEDGE Colts U13s produced a ‘Dutch of class’ to win the JVC Cuijk Tournament in Holland.
The Colts, the only team from Lancashire to enter the competition, beat SC Dynamo 1-0 in the final to win the silverware.
It was a fantastic performance from the Colts who were undefeated throughout the tournament, scoring 25 goals and conceding none.
Manager Alex Norwood was delighted with the victory and the manner in which it was achieved, praising his side’s quality, effort and impeccable behaviour The Accrington and District Junior Boys League team topped their group with three wins.
They kicked off with a 3-0 ‘walk over’ against Dutch team RKSV Margriet who failed to turn up, then turned on the style to beat Etus Haltern from Germany 7-0 thanks to a Ben Ashton hat-trick and futher goals from Matthew Howarth, Josh McRae, Thomas Keellings and Aidan Duffy.
And there was no relenting from the class Colts who rounded off the group stage with an 11-0 win over host club JVC Cuijk – Ashton scoring four this time with Keelings (2), McRae (2), Howarth, Nathaniel Anderson and Aidan Duffy all scoring.
The Colts qualified for the finals on the following day, along with MK Dons Academy (England), Southcote FC (England) and SC Dynamo (Holland) whp played each other in a round robin format.
In the first game, Fulledge played the MK Dons Academy and, against a high standard of opposition, the Colts applied themselves brilliantly.
The ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Anderson and Ashton.
Next up were Southcote FC, who provided a greater physical test. But the Colts showed real character to scrape a 1-0 win, Herbie Farnworth nodding home an Aidan Duffy free kick while Luke Cocker made two outstanding saves to ensure Fulledge held on to the lead.
In the final game, Fulledge Colts took on SC Dynamo with the winners would be crowned champions.
And it was leading scoring Ashton who scored the only goal of the game, slotted the ball home after a 35-yard effort by Aidan Duffy was parried by the SC Dynamo keeper.
“Winning was nice but the real source of pride was the efforts of the players, the quality of their play and the way they adapted to playing against different teams from different countries,” said coach Norwood “Their impeccable behaviour throughout was a credit to themselves and their families, as well as Fulledge Colts YFC.
The club thanked sponsors VEKA PLC and are now planning to travel to Barcelona next season.
Anyone interested in sponsoring the team for the trip should email Alex Norwood on alex.norwood87@gmail.com.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here