Lady luck not on the side of the Scorpions

Sunday 16 June

Blackwater and Dengie Youth league five-a-side tournament - Scorpions.

A day of misfortune for the Scorpions today with their good play not producing the results they deserved. Our tournament opened against Valley Green Eastern Dragons - a very capable league 1 team. The Scorpions acquitted themselves very well and a tight game ended in a deserved 0-0 draw for a share of the spoils.

Next up was Torquespeed Falcons and after a nervous start the boys started to find their rhythm. With some good play up until the final third it was again proving difficult to find any clear cut goal scoring opportunities. Although we were the better team over the 12 minutes it was Torquespeed that nicked a last gasp goal to take the points.

The boys kept their heads up and went into the next game against Wilvale Warriors needing to take something from the game. Although the Warriors are a very good team it was the Scorpions that were bossing the match, having chance after chance to take the lead. Again goals were proving illusive and another frustrating 0-0 draw left us needing something going into our 4th match against top of the table Valley Green.

Valley Green were showing their league 1 pedigree against the other teams in our group and this was going to be a tough match, but the Scorpions knowing they needed the win played out of their skin, and two amazing goals (1 from Caspar and 1 from Jake) gave us a commanding and well deserved lead. Another goal from Jake put the game to bed, 3-1 and our first win of the tournament came in some style.

Our next match against Torquespeed was directly after our last match and the fatigue started to show. With the rain pouring down and through no lack of effort it was Torquespeed that scored two good goals to win the match 2-0.

Our last match proved to be one of pride, as a top 2 position was already out reach. Our old foes the Wilvale Warriors were up and they needed the win to progress. The Scorpions again played really well and had lots of decent chances but it was the Warriors that took the lead with a neat finish. With just minutes to go Caspar ran through and buried his shot only for the referee to blow for a free kick for encroaching into the area (his shot was at least a yard outside the area!!!). A scandalous decision that eliminated Valley Green and put Wilvale through.

All in all a great learning experience for everyone. Tor had his usual tenacity in defence and made some fantastic saves when he took his turn in goal . Poyraz was as assured as ever, making tackle after tackle and reading the game brilliantly. Mason battled away all afternoon, and even though the weather was upsetting him (and it was bad!) he stayed on the pitch and kept helping his teammates out. Jake ran his socks off and his highlight was his super finish against Valley Green.

A very well done to all the team, we just didn't have the rub of the green today.

Player of the Tournament - Caspar. Scored a terrific goal and had one ruled out very controversially. He was running everywhere today, breaking up play in defence, running through midfield and getting forward and finding himself in goal scoring areas of the pitch. Well done Caspar a great performance today.