The boys travelled to Rhyl, Wales to play in a National Tournament between Friday 2 May and Monday 5 May 2014.
Following their successful trip to Eindhoven, Holland a couple of weeks ago, the team were in great spirits for this tournament. Having won three, including beating Rhyl’s Academy Team, and drawn two games on Saturday the team went into the Sunday joint top of the League. They won four matches on Sunday, but needed to win their last game or hope that the Rhyl Academy team lost their game to win the huge trophy on offer.
Unfortunately, Rhyl’s Academy Team won their game 3-1 meaning that only a victory would do for the Panthers to be crowned Champions. During the final game the Panthers were camped in their opponents half for the entire game but just could not score that all important goal. With an injury in the game late on, the referee signalled there was one minute left of the game. Approximately 30 seconds later, Panthers’ number nine, Ashton Cooper, scrambled his way into the box and tucked the ball into the corner sparking wild celebrations on and off the pitch.
Congratulations to the team for remaining unbeaten throughout the competition and only conceding one goal in ten games. The team were presented with the huge trophy by ex-premiership footballer, Steve Claridge.
The team consists of Lewis Rochelle, Joshua Reynolds, Ben Maginness, Joshua Mason, Ben Herrington, Louis Beesley, Sam Scott, Ashton Cooper, George Whitehouse and Rio Parkes-Mahoney. The Management Team consists of Ian Whitehouse, Ben Mason and Ian Beesley.
A big thank you goes to the team’s kit sponsor Fashion Factory and Tracksuit sponsor One Stop who have provided us with the finance to make sure the lads are fully kitted out.