The second Isle of Wight Girls Football Tournament of 2010 took place at Ryde Sports Centre Multi-Use Games Area at the weekend.
The tournament was the second of its kind on the Island, bringing together the brand new girls football teams from across the Island to compete in an action packed morning of 6 a-side football.
The tournament was the second in a series of Girls Only football tournaments being organised to support the development of Girls Football across the Island.
Eight teams, including four from East Cowes, two from Ryde Saints Youth FC, one from Brighstone FC and one from Sandown & Lake Youth FC battled it out, culminating in a fantastic final between Sandown and East Cowes A.
The morning pitted four teams in each round robin group.
Group A comprised of the reigning champions East Cowes ‘A’, Ryde ‘B’, East Cowes ‘C’ and Sandown. This group on paper looked very strong with all the matches featuring some high quality football. East Cowes ‘A’ were again very organised and showed exactly why the won the first tournament last month. However Sandown were in majestic form, beating Ryde ‘B’ and East Cowes ‘C’ 7-0 and 8-0!! Sandown and East Cowes ‘A’ both progressed to the Semi-Finals.
Group B pitted the other teams against each other. The group was a much closer affair, with no dominant team. The youngest team in the tournament, East Cowes ‘D’ showed real enthusiasm despite them being physically the smallest side; eventually getting their reward when they scored their first goal against Ryde ‘A’. The group was tight, but East Cowes ‘B’ progressed as group winners and Ryde ‘A’ runners-up.
The Semi-Finals pitted Ryde ‘A’ against the impressive Sandown team. Having won their group it looked as though Sandown may ease past Ryde, however Sandown found the well organised Ryde team a tougher proposition. Sandown went 1-0 up early in the first half but couldn’t press home their possession. Ryde had their chances and were only prevented from equalising in the dying seconds by the excellent Sandown goalkeeper, Rebecca Sampson.
In the other Semi-Final, East Cowes ‘A’ played East Cowes ‘B’, the ‘A’ team showed real skill matched by their impressive teamwork to prevail 2-0 against the spirited ‘B’ team.
The final promised to be an exciting encounter and did not disappoint, Sandown were keen to win their first title whilst East Cowes were equally as keen to retain the trophy. The game was an even encounter with chances at both ends, however the supremely impressive duo of Elisha Hatcher and Ellie Witty showed real quality with Elisha scoring early in the second half following some great interplay and then scoring a brilliant individual goal lobbing the goalkeeper on the volley! East Cowes never stopped battling and were unfortunate not to get a goal for their hard work, however Sandown held on to win the final 2-0 and win the tournament.
Girls – want to play football and get involved?? There are various girls football sessions taking place across the Island (now including Newport and Ventnor) and more upcoming tournaments! For further information please contact the IWC Sports Unit on (01983) 823818 or [email protected]
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Images: Ellie (Sandown & Lake) in action
Winning Sandown & Lake Youth Team. From left to right (back row) Summer, Tiah, Jade, Elisha, Ellie, (front row) Bryony, Rebecca & Amy. Manager – Ben Yates.
