TOWN YOUTH 05/06 WIN INAUGURAL MGF BIGBALL GAME

Towns former youth team reformed for the day triumphed in the MGF Bigball tournament held at Pavilions on Sunday beating O2 Retention in the final, the day was a huge success the football being the main event started at 12:00 p.m with Town Youth 05/06 squad members A.Judge, M.Randall, T.Mather, D.Ginever, R.Gorry (capt), J.Dover, S.Maloney, G.Lupton, P.Angell, M.Johnson, R.Conlan, & guests T.Lupton, M.McGrath & P.Illidge opening proceedings against Morrissons, Town taking the field with only ten players due to Matty Johnson being delayed in arriving, although he soon entered the field & was straight into the action sending in the corner which led to the opening goal a piledriver of a shot from the edge of the box by David Ginever, this was soon followed by a Paul Angell special the striker turning back the clock to his youth team day’s when reacting quickest in the area to a spilled shot from Gary Lupton, Angell prodding over from six yards Tom Mather was unlucky not to add to the lead but the Morrissons keeper somehow managed to get his fingertips to his goal bound header sending the ball out for a corner, Rob Gorry (Mark’s cousin) and Ste Maloney were in complete control of midfield & following some fine link up play between them, Maloney found Matty J who unselfishly played a first time pass into the feet of Angell who finished in style to increase the lead to 3 – 0, this was increased to 4 – 0 just before the half time whistle by Gary Lupton cutting inside from the left and producing a fine finish.
The second half opened with a bang Matty Johnson raced clear onto a defence splitting pass from Mark Mcgrath and hit a first time ferocious right foot drive from fully 30 yards out, the Morrissons goalkeeper making probably the save of his life to deny what would have been the goal of the day but Town were not to be denied & from the resulting corner Paul Angell registered again to complete his hat trick several chances came & went notably John Dover the former youth team striker who had been helping out by playing at left back up until finally being unshackled to have a run up front, rose to meet a perfect Gorry cross, the normally lethal Dover put the header over the bar when he looked certain to score, the final goal of the game, to secure a 6 – 0 win was neatly despatched by Gary Lupton’s younger brother Tom who was guesting in the absence of Ste Wagg who couldn’t play due to his lovely daughter getting christened that day, Tom received a pass from the overage guest Paul Illidge who was co-opted in at the last minute, Illidge had in fact come down with his son Alex to enjoy the day but was press ganged in to helping out, having received the pass Tom curled a tremendous shot in from 25 yards the last ten minutes were dominated by Town gaining a string of corners & Adam Judge who had been a virtual spectator in the Town goal came up for them a la Schmiechel but his team mates didn’t’ put in any crosses for him to go for, employing a short corner routine purposely to thwart his attempts at snatching a goal .
The lads then had a three hour wait to the final as the next match to decide who we would meet in the final was between O2 Retention & O2 Business with Retention running out 2 - 0 winners, There then followed a very entertaining U12’s match between Town & St Michaels Ditton Hall which saw Town triumph 2 – 0 to maintain there unbeaten pre season run. there then was a crossbar challenge event for Juniors & Adults the latter of which was won by Mark Gorry's brother-in-law Seany, with the O2 Retention goalkeeper John (Peanut) Barnes who plays for Runcorn Sunday Premier League Tricorn F.C., coming runner up, Danny Eccles winning the childrens crossbar challenge, both winners going home with Plasma TV's kindly sponsored on the day by 02.
The final was a very entertaining game, the two teams played attractive flowing football Town had the lions share of possession which was reflected in the final score Town winning the Inaugural Shield by scoring one in each half, Paul Angell on target again in the first half and John Dover wrapping up the win with a fine effort sliding the ball into the bottom corner leaving the keeper no chance in the second.
All the players received a commemorative medal and it was fitting that Town youth 05/06 won the Shield as this was the team that Mark Gorry the foundation founder played for in there successful 05/06 season.
In a fitting tribute we had a fantastic turn out of the squad with all present except S.Wagg (christening), A.Doyle & D.Sumner (both working), D.Ramanouski (coaching in China) & Mark Johnson (who could not be contacted) another nice touch was the team was captained on the day by Mark’s cousin Robbie who proudly went up to receive the shield from Mark’s wife Leah.
Runcorn Town F.C were proud to co host the Inaugural MGF Big Ball fun day & look forward to helping out in any way we can next year.

Posted at 12:57 on Tuesday 3rd August 2010 - Viewed 426 times