Under 9s Match Reports

Five years after an Abbeymead Rovers U9 team won the West Country Cup in Newquay the current U9 Hawks have beaten teams from across the south of England to win the South Coast Classic at Selsey.

In their first game against Tornadoes from Herfordshire, Abbeymead won two-nil. Ben Langworthy scored the tournament's opening goal by finishing a Clayton Dee cross and Dee himself scored the second picking up a poor clearance and finishing in style.

Against Eagles B from Kent a hat-trick from Dee and two superb strikes from Lee Marshall and Langworthy gave Abbeymead a comfortable five-nil victory.

In their third game Abbeymead came up against a physical Lytchett Red Triangle from Dorset - Marshall and Dee gave Abbeymead a two-nil lead, but in the final few minutes Lytchett scored from a free kick to set up a nervous final few minutes.

In their final game of the first day, Abbeymead played previously unbeaten Pace Football Club from Hampshire - this was the best 'football' of the tournament - both sides played a high standard of 'pass and move' football. Pace took the lead after some sloppy defending, but Abbeymead showed great resolve and came back with four goals from Dee (2), Marshall and Jamal Lawrence.

On the second day, Abbeymead knew that one win would guarantee a place in the final. Against Eagles A they started slowly having 'partied' late the night before. Langworthy hit the bar before Lawrence opened the scoring. Then Abbeymead hit top form with further goals from Marshall, Dee, a cheeky 'Zola' flick from Ben Tegg, Lawrence and Elliott Basford who was given a rare opportunity to play in attack.

In their final group match, Abbeymead encountered a stubborn Bushy Rangers from Hertfordshire - who played with seven defenders to try to contain and frustrate Abbeymead with some success - Lawrence scored the only goal against a goalkeeper who was in inspired form - without him Abbeymead would have scored far more.

Throughout the tournament, Abbeymead quickly built up a reputation for being a good footballing side. With Tegg and Elliott Obee instrumental in midfield and Dee and Marshall a constant threat in front of goal, Abbeymead won a lot of friends for their brand of fair and fluent football. Jack Boyce joined the team for the weekend and made a significant contribution in goal and was unlucky not to score when playing up front. Josh Cannon and Elliott Basford were solid and consistent in defence and George Hall was as reliable as ever in goal.

The final group match saw Lytchett out muscle Pace to reach the final.

In the final, Lytchett's game plan was clear within the first few minutes, as following a number of free kicks, Dee was through on goal when tripped, but a clear penalty was not given. Lawrence was subjected to a barrage of disgraceful challenges and had to be substituted before half time. Abbeymead dominated the game with Dee, Marshall, Langworthy, and Obee all coming close to scoring the vital goal. Lytchell only had one chance when Ben Tegg had time to clear the ball from the line. Hall was not called into action until a dramatic and tense penalty shoot out. Dee and Obee scored theirs, Hall superbly saved three to take it to sudden death. Hall saved again, leaving Ben Tegg to calmly slot the winner to give Abbeymead a thoroughly well deserved victory which was celebrated long into the night.

All players and parents deserve a huge amount of credit for the way they conducted themselves during the whole tournament and in particular the final - in the face of very confrontational and aggressive opponents both on and off the pitch.

When the tournament organisers and other opposition managers are supporting you to win and complementing you on your football, ethics and organisation, then you know you are playing the game in the right spirit.

Thanks must go to tournament organisers 'Sports Tours' for a superbly run tournament and a presentation evening out of this world - one the players and parents will never forget. Ben Langworthy proudly collected the winners trophy from Nigel Winterburn - the ex Arsenal, West Ham and England defender - a trophy so big and heavy he could hardly carry it off the stage! What a weekend!

Player of the tournament - George Hall

Abbeymead - George Hall, Jack Boyce, Elliott Basford, Elliott Obee, Josh Cannon, Ben Tegg, Lee Marshall, Clayton Dee, Jamal Lawrence, Ben Langworthy