Ryelands win the William Smith Football Festival in an epic final
Football festival proves to be a great success.
Nineteen teams locked horns at Giant Axe recently to battle it out for the honour of winning the prestigious William Smith Football Festival.
The festival consisted of four leagues, all of which had their share of epic games, with excellent football being produced throughout the day.
In group one Moorside A versus Greatwood B was a fizzing encounter with Moorside A edging out as eventual winners by 2 goals to 1.
Greatwood B’s young outfit looked very handy and bounced back from an early defeat from the eventual winners Ryelands to draw their next two games.
With only the top two teams in the group qualifying for the quarter finals, group two was always going to be hotly contested and it didn’t disappoint. Moorside B and Bolton-le-Sands B qualified for the quarter finals.
Group 3’s big two, Caton St Paul’s and Christchurch Lancaster, clashed in an epic encounter. With the outcome being a one all draw, Caton took the group title on goal difference.
Group 4’s two teams to qualify were St Bernardette’s and St Peter’s.
So the quarter finals were set and as the heat soared off the pitch so did the skills on the pitch.
Moorside A defeated St Peter’s after a dreaded penalty shootout. At the same time Ryelands met Bolton-le-Sands A and again the game went to a penalty shootout, with Ryelands coming out triumphant.
In the next two quarter finals Moorside B defeated Christchurch Lancaster 1-0 and St Bernardette’s defeated Caton St Paul’s 1-0.
The semi finals were set Moorside A took on Ryelands and St Bernardette’s challenged Moorside B. Ryelands and St Bernardette’s were victorious, earning themselves a place in the final.
The final was arguably the best game of the competition, both teams showed exceptional skills. After full time the score was deadlocked and the only way to separate the two teams was again through a penalty shootout.
With many a fan gathered around the goal, the penalty shootout tested each player’s nerve. Ryelands were victorious and won the title.
To be honest both teams deserved to win and the sportsmanship shown by both teams was a testament to their schools.
A big thank you needs to go out to the referees, Alistair, Ryan and Gareth; Rob and Eric for all their support, Lancaster City FC for use of their facilities and all the teachers, parents and coaches who sacrificed their bank holiday.
Date Published: 20/04/09