Half Term Football Competition at GOAL Soccer Centre, Stockton On Tees
Young People from Eastbourne and Skerne Park represented Darlington Youth Service, in a Tees Valley Football Competition During Half Term.
There were 7 teams in total, coming from across the region including, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Stockton and Darlington. The Tournament operated as one group, with the top 2 teams playing each other in the final. Both Darlington Teams were Confident and believed they would come close by the end of day.
As it was Eastbourne were drawn to play Skerne Park, in the opening game in the tournament, and what started as a close affair, ended with a comfortable Eastbourne victory 2-1. With Eastbourne getting off to such a good start it was important that complacency didn’t set in. Skerne Park needed to bounce back, but the story of the day was all so familiar, with Skerne Park paying for missed chances, resulting in points being thrown away and in the end cost them a place in a final, missing out by only 3 points. For Eastbourne it was better luck, and Eastbourne managed to win every group game scoring 21 goals and conceding only 2 goals the whole day.
A fantastic team performance earned them the right to play in the final, and they faced a team called Acklam, who were very quick and very skilful. The Final started with both teams keeping the ball, not wanting to waste possession and be forced into making a mistake. In the 5th minute of the Game, there was a breakthrough, but unfortunately for Eastbourne it was against them, and Acklam looked as though they may hang on for the victory despite Eastbourne pushing hard for the equaliser. Then a moment of pure genius, Nathan Wilson picked up the ball on the half way line, took on two men, and lashed the ball home from outside the box, 1-1. With Both Teams pushing for a win, Eastbourne stepped up a Gear and with only minutes left on the clock, got themselves the deserved winner, when some neat football ended with Andy notching the winner for Eastbourne.
Well Done to the Boys!