17th June 2017. Mixed day for Piranhas!
Squad:
1 - Charlie W
2 - Sam M
3 - Louis F
4 - Thomas A
5 - Leo M
6 - Harry H
7 - Cameron M
9 - Etien H
10 - Charlie T
1 - Charlie W
2 - Sam M
3 - Louis F
4 - Thomas A
5 - Leo M
6 - Harry H
7 - Cameron M
9 - Etien H
10 - Charlie T
Another week, another tournament for the Piranhas. This week would see the team travel to Braintree for the Sporting 77 tournament, alongside their friends DUFC Sharks who were also taking part. The sun was shining, even hot enough for the Piranhas faithful to set up camp under a gazebo!
Today would be made more special by the fact that after the matches this morning, the team would attend the DUFC presentation day to pick up some well-deserved trophies.
First up though was tournament business, the Piranhas group games were against:
The tournaments so far had mixed fortunes for the team, so they would be keen to continue their up-turn in form. We had also decided that we were going to play the lads in a number of different positions today. The pitches left a lot to be desired with some long grass and goals that were low and wide meaning the Piranhas would face a different test.
Match 1:
Piranhas v Stanway Villa Reds. A team we have never faced before, the Piranhas started really well scoring the opener through Harry H, following a Cameron M free kick. The lads looked pretty comfortable right through the match but conceded two late goals. Not the best of starts in terms of results but the lads played really well.
Match 2:
Piranhas v S77 Piranhas. The battle of the Piranhas! Very comfortable for DUFC. The first goal coming when Charlie T was poaching following a shot from Sam M. Charlie was involved in the second too, when his shot was bundled over the line by Leo M. The defence was rarely troubled after that and it looked like a case of how many for the Piranhas.
Match 3:
Piranhas v Forest Glade. The eventual tournament runners up. The team went down to a single goal in this one, but again the teams were very evenly matched. The game could have gone either way with both teams having chances.
Match 4:
Piranhas v Colchester Villa Reds. The team wanted to go out in style and took an early lead through Harry H. Two quick goals gave Colchester hope but a fantastic hat-trick from Cameron M sealed the victory. A great way to end the tournament.
The lads coped exceptionally well playing in a number of different positions and everyone put in a great effort in the heat. Big congratulations to the Sharks who went on to win the tournament!
Today would be made more special by the fact that after the matches this morning, the team would attend the DUFC presentation day to pick up some well-deserved trophies.
First up though was tournament business, the Piranhas group games were against:
- Stanway Villa Reds
- S77 Piranhas
- Forest Glade
- Colchester Villa Reds
The tournaments so far had mixed fortunes for the team, so they would be keen to continue their up-turn in form. We had also decided that we were going to play the lads in a number of different positions today. The pitches left a lot to be desired with some long grass and goals that were low and wide meaning the Piranhas would face a different test.
Match 1:
Piranhas v Stanway Villa Reds. A team we have never faced before, the Piranhas started really well scoring the opener through Harry H, following a Cameron M free kick. The lads looked pretty comfortable right through the match but conceded two late goals. Not the best of starts in terms of results but the lads played really well.
Match 2:
Piranhas v S77 Piranhas. The battle of the Piranhas! Very comfortable for DUFC. The first goal coming when Charlie T was poaching following a shot from Sam M. Charlie was involved in the second too, when his shot was bundled over the line by Leo M. The defence was rarely troubled after that and it looked like a case of how many for the Piranhas.
Match 3:
Piranhas v Forest Glade. The eventual tournament runners up. The team went down to a single goal in this one, but again the teams were very evenly matched. The game could have gone either way with both teams having chances.
Match 4:
Piranhas v Colchester Villa Reds. The team wanted to go out in style and took an early lead through Harry H. Two quick goals gave Colchester hope but a fantastic hat-trick from Cameron M sealed the victory. A great way to end the tournament.
The lads coped exceptionally well playing in a number of different positions and everyone put in a great effort in the heat. Big congratulations to the Sharks who went on to win the tournament!
Presentation Day!
WELL DONE LADS!
Following the tournament, the whole team headed back to Laundry Lane for the presentation day. There was entertainment to keep the kids (and adults) occupied all day.
The presentations started with the whole team being awarded with the league sportsmanship award. This is a great honour for the Piranhas as it is voted for by all the other managers in the league. It is an award that demonstrates how well the players and the supporters conduct themselves on match days. It comes as no surprise to me, as I see this every week but it is great for everyone involved to be recognised.
Every single player was presented with an award for how well they have done this season with every trophy being richly deserved. There were a couple of special trophies given out - Trainer of the Year was given to Cameron M. This also doubled up as a ‘Most Improved Player’ as Cameron has shown great development over the last year.
Ross and I were unable to split the Player of the Season award so we decided to give two:
Tom A, an absolute rock in defence. He doesn’t always like playing there but he is immense and reads the game really well. He gets on with the job and doesn’t moan (well not too much!)
Harry H, a midfield maestro. Full of energy, Harry works so hard getting up and down the pitch and weighs in with a few goals too.
Thanks to everyone who has helped out over the season - Ross for his help with the lads and refereeing. Darren and Mark for refereeing too and to everyone who has helped set up pitches and put away etc.
Final thanks to all the lads and all the brilliant parents and supporters who make managing the Piranhas and enjoyable job.
Here’s looking forward to next season - WE ARE UNITED!
The presentations started with the whole team being awarded with the league sportsmanship award. This is a great honour for the Piranhas as it is voted for by all the other managers in the league. It is an award that demonstrates how well the players and the supporters conduct themselves on match days. It comes as no surprise to me, as I see this every week but it is great for everyone involved to be recognised.
Every single player was presented with an award for how well they have done this season with every trophy being richly deserved. There were a couple of special trophies given out - Trainer of the Year was given to Cameron M. This also doubled up as a ‘Most Improved Player’ as Cameron has shown great development over the last year.
Ross and I were unable to split the Player of the Season award so we decided to give two:
Tom A, an absolute rock in defence. He doesn’t always like playing there but he is immense and reads the game really well. He gets on with the job and doesn’t moan (well not too much!)
Harry H, a midfield maestro. Full of energy, Harry works so hard getting up and down the pitch and weighs in with a few goals too.
Thanks to everyone who has helped out over the season - Ross for his help with the lads and refereeing. Darren and Mark for refereeing too and to everyone who has helped set up pitches and put away etc.
Final thanks to all the lads and all the brilliant parents and supporters who make managing the Piranhas and enjoyable job.
Here’s looking forward to next season - WE ARE UNITED!