Clubs | SYFA West Region 14s squad compete in Denmark | |
.jpg) The last tour of the Summer for the SYFA West Region is now over, with the 14's having attended the Denmark Cup in Ishoj, Copenhagen from the 25th – 30th July.Day 1 at the Denmark Cup - After a short flight we have arrived at Ishoj Youth Hostel. Rooms are fine 6 to a room, more like Chalet's. The players went for their meal and had a light training session followed by some relaxation. Day 2 at the Denmark Cup - A bright sunny day ahead with temperatures to peak at 88', today's schedule -Players heading for breakfast at 9am then our game at 11am. Lunch at 1pm and then back to Youth Hostel. This afternoon went into town to stock up on some provisions and there is an Opening Ceremony followed by a karaoke evening at Tournament Control. Match Report - Stromsgodset IK, Norway - It seemed as if the effects of travelling were still affecting the Squad as they were slow to react at the start of the match to pressure from the Norwegian side Stromsgodset. Early pressure by them nearly resulted in a goal in the first minute but the ball was cleared by the West defence. In the 5th minute the Norwegian number 10 just powered through from midfield beating 3 before firing in a low drive. How would West react to this, well that was the wake up call they needed and they stepped up their game. Michael Kennedy won the ball in midfield and broke through passing the ball to Daniel Bonnar who finished with a low drive this was in the 15th minute. Five minutes later Daniel Bonnar latched onto a loose ball in the box following a West corner and he again fired home. In the 26th minute it was Team Captain John Mitchell who added the third with a header at the back post. A free kick from 20 yards out by the Norwegians saw the ball sail into the back post over the keeper. Craig Boyd came on as a substitute in the 32nd minute and right away made an impact when he played a ball across the box for Daniel Bonnar to get his hat trick. Ruaridh langan was in fine form at this point, however his shots were either hitting the post or the cross bar, Craig Robertson scored from a corner in the 35th minute, Ruaridh Langan added two before the end when he scored from close range Almost in the last 10 minutes the Norwegians came back into the game and added two before the end as legs tired. It was a good pre tournament game for the West and hopefully blew away any cobwebs that may have been there. Day 3 at the Denmark Cup - We played Atlet from the Ukraine, it was a sluggish performance from the team with a few still looking as if they needed to wake up, an early goal from Craig Robertson direct from a corner after a goalmouth scramble saw West go ahead in the first minute and despite lots of pressure West could not add another before half time. In the 2nd half again it was a goal by Craig Robertson from a through ball from Craig Boyd put West ahead. There were further chances from Craig Boyd but to no avail. It was 3 points from a game where West should have added to their goal tally and now we play Herclules later today at 12-00. This afternoon's game against Hercules ended a disappointing 3-3. West went behind early doors when a ball was played in to the box and the attacker got in behind the defence to fire low past the Keeper, Michael Kennedy got one back 10 minutes later when Craig Robertson played him through and blasted home. West then lost a further goal when the ball was played through and the attacker again went in on goal to finish. Next up was Craig Boyd who scored a double to put the West ahead, then disaster with 5 minutes to go when Hercules sent in a long chip shot that went in under the crossbar West were now under pressure to perform in their next two games if they want to qualify. Day 4 Group Games - Last night's visit to the Theme Park seemed to have worked a treat as today the Team came out firing on all cylinders. Our first game of the Morning was against Oja IT from Sweden. This time West blasted into the game and it was John Mitchell who put West ahead with a drive from 25 yards through a ruck of players and into the net. Daniel Bonar added a second before half time as he latched onto a loose ball in the box following a corner and the third goal came in the second half when John Mitchell scored a penalty kick, Credit to Conner Houghton in goal who was back to his usual form and saved all that was thrown at them. Next up is IFK Viken from Sweden at 4pm to see if West can stay top of the group and goal difference does count. With one game left at 4pm West were facing a potential issue, although top of the group Goal Difference would make a difference and with Hercules 6 goals ahead, the West would have needed 7 this afternoon. However Hercules drew 1-1 earlier today so now West just need to win to top the Group and go into the quarter finals. Final Group Game against IF Viken from Sweden. This was a game we had to win to top the group and it was 0-0 up to 5 minutes to go before Craig Robertson chipped the keeper from 25 yards to win the game 1-0, West now play FC Paide from Estonia in the Quarter Final on the Astroturf Park at 8-00 on Sunday. Day 5 Knock Out Stages - The West played FC Paide from Estonia. The game was an early start however the Squad played their best football yet on the Astroturf park winning 5-0 with goals from Daniel Bonar (2), Andrew Armitage, Michael Kennedy and Gavin Millar and now face Swedish Side LB07 who won their quarter final 2-0. Semi Final - West fought back twice in this game and a double for Craig Boyd kept the score level at full time. West had most of the possession in the game but their finishing wasn't as lethal as LB07b from Sweden who when they got their chance finished from close range, nevertheless the determination and spirit of the young Scots kept them in the game coming back from 1-0 down to 1-1 and 2-1 down to 2-2. So it went to penalties, in the first three LB07 scored all 3 and West only one when Ruardih Langan scored for the West, SB07 scored and that was West out. Disappointing in some aspects but still a great Tournament for those who attended, having only played 8 games before the Tournament they certainly came together and thanks to all who helped with this event. The West players watched the Final in which SB07 won 4-0 against Klaipedos from Lithuania and there was a general feeling that the young Scots should have been in that Final and should have won the competition, but the lottery of the penalty shoot out put the result beyond them. Still when you consider that the Squad had played 8 games during the year they achieved great results in reaching the Semi Final and who knows what they will achieve next year. Player of the Tournament was awarded to Craig Boyd of St Andrew's BC. SYFA West Region 14s squad - Fyfe, Mitchell, Langan, Wallace, Gillespie, Gilmour, Grant, Bonar, Kennedy, Robertson, Traynor, Gorton, Armitage Houghton, Gibson, Boyd, Drummond, Gavin Article provided by the Scottish Youth FA West Region
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