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GAS WIN AT UMBRO

Gas are regular competitors at the Umbro International Cup. This year we arrived with our strongest squad yet to take on some of the best National teams and well as International competition from many different countries.

We met at Euston Station on the Tuesday at Lunchtime, caught the fast train to Manchester, then another to the Airport, picked up our Minibus and then straight to our accommodation – we stayed at the Owen’s Park Campus in Manchester – about 15 mins from the Playing venue. The boys all had their own rooms. Got an early night (most of us) to be ready for the next day.

The tournament at U14’s was between 20 teams. Two groups of seven and one group of six. Each team would play every other team in their group, two matches a day on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Each game 20 minutes each way. Knockout stages were on Saturday.

Fallowfield Rangers

The first game was against a local team who were probably the weakest in our group. We won 5-0. Finishing about 50% of our chances we were very pleased to get off to a good start.

Cuddington

The second game was against a strong team who finished third in the mid-Cheshire league. They were a very physical team that had spells of playing good football too. This resulted in our first slip-up of our campaign – the same old story of hitting 1 out of 11 chances, and our opposition converting 2 out of three chances. (It’s a GAS disease) – we lost 2-1

Dynamo

A team from the USA who were well drilled and organised, but without the individual talent to make the passes that they were trying to. We won 2-0.

Winsford Blues

Unbeaten in their league for a whole season, Winsford promised to be a tough battle. This was the biggest slip up of the tour. We completely dominated the match, every area of the pitch, possession, 13 goal-scoring opportunities against Winsford’s two. The score… 1-0 to Winsford.

BY NOW WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY BORED OF BEING PRAISED FOR OUR EXCELLENT FOOTBALL, BEING THE BEST TEAM THERE AND HAVING THE OFFICIALS AND OTHER MANAGERS TALKING ABOUT OUR SUPER FOOTBALL. WE NOW WANT TO BE A RUBBISH TEAM THAT SCORES A LUCKY GOAL AND WINS!!!!

Salt Hill Rangers

An Irish team, who were probably the biggest test for us. No contest. We still failed to finish the numerous chances we had, but we were the only team not to lose against Salt Hill, and indeed they were very fortunate to walk away with a point. Draw 1-1

Islington Rangers

Team from Canada who were well organised and very motivated to win. Ended up being another game that we dominated to win 4-0.

We Finished second in our group

The Knockout stages started with the ¼ finals, where we obliterated Inverness 2-0, went on to smash Woodhouse 4-0 in the semis.

The final was against Vale Royal – A local team with Manchester pedigree.

For the first time in the tournament we were played off the park in the first half, Vale were hungrier, stronger and impossible to break down. The boys were very tired and after four days of football seemed to lack the motivation to go on to win. These words provided it “Its bad enough not winning our group – if you really want to go home not winning the knockout stages, just carry on playing the way you are – its completely up to you”

The second half saw a complete reversal of the first. We took control of the game and kept the ball in Vale’s half for 70% of the period. Many, many chances were created, just one was finished following a break through by Joe on the Right who took it to the goal line, just on the edge of the six yard box, then cut it back for Darren to pass it home. The penalty shoot out that followed saw all 5 players score, and Jake saved the first of Vale’s shots to claim the trophy.

From a football point of view this was one of the most useful pre-season events we could have hoped to play in. Nine eleven-a-side games with a new formation that all the boys got to grips with and worked well. Our new players found out how different is was to play with GAS, both from the point of view or organisation and playing priorities.

Jake – Did some very good things, made a couple of mistakes, but is progressing well for the new season.

Josh - was at his best. Just one slip up in the first half of the final, good distribution and excellent reaction.

Wisey – Had some great games, not at his best, but one of our most effective centre halfs

Harry– Played his best at centre half and had some great games working alongside Wisey.

Niall – Started very slowly, but came alive in the semis, and probably one of the best players in the final

Johan – One of the best players at Umbro, consistently unbeatable

Darren –Learning how different it is in a GAS shirt, did some good things in many games and scored the equaliser in the final.

Jojo – some good games, not at his best in every game, was good to see him use his skills to beat players.

Jed Wallace – Excellent in most games – some mind-blowing passes, good decision making – best midfielder

Luke Giles – Very good solid reliable performance throughout

Lukey Nolan – Not at his best, but did Ok in most games.

Ryan – Started slowly and got better as the week went on. Scored “Goal of the week” in the semis.

Sean – Excellent in many games, powerful, skilful and arguably our most dangerous forward.

Khan – Played some incredible games at playmaker and in midfield

Alfie – Some great games as playmaker.

Apart from the Football

The boys had a great time chatting up girls in the evenings, staying up later than they should have (they thought we didn’t know) and getting to know each other “they are all a bit mad” commented one of our new boys.

We visited old Trafford, had a “chanting competition” with a bunch of girls, had an evening out at Nandos, met a great bunch of lads from a South African team called “Corinthians” (who want to come to the UK to play for GAS) and ate loads of doughnuts between games.

Phil Wallace was the invaluable driver of the Minibus. Kate, Julie and Sara made the sandwiches every day and did all the washing of the kit and Paul just ate doughnuts.

Next year, if we do this again, then we will stay another night to enable the boys (especially Luke & Joe) to finish what they started with the girls they met)

These were three winos that had to be evicted from the campus