Holland Tour 2008 review part five

Under-14s

Boston United Centre of Excellence journeyed to Holland last week for the Amsterdam Cup. Under-14s coach Chris Morley details how his side fared during the tournament…

SQUAD: Marc Hipwell (gk), Aaron Corby (injured), Charlie Butt, Niall Delahoy, Oliver Fixter, Alexander Graham, Rhys Howden, Jordan Lote, Jordan Nuttell, William Rawdon, James Reed, Kieran Rose.

SATURDAY:
Travelling with a depleted squad of 12 players, the under-14s arrived in Amsterdam looking for a successful run in the tournament. Early team news from the camp contained a blow with Aaron Corby ruled out for the tournament with a broken collarbone. Jordan Lote was also struggling to be fit for the big stage, with an ankle injury sustained the week before. With this now a problem for the squad, the services of Alan Carr were called for and the team arrived at their first venue for a 9.00am kick-off.

The Pilgrims played a new formation, with Rhys Howden deployed as the lone striker. Arriving late at the venue, the squad was ordered to get on the pitch and play without a warm-up and team talk. Unfortunately early pressure from Boston did not count for anything as the Pilgrims lost 1-0.

The next game was to be a different story as complete domination took over. The troops, wound up by watching youth team players Nick Jackson and Alex Beck, dominated to win 4-0, with Charlie Butt in a hot streak of form, scoring all four goals, as the opposition failed to handle the pacy striker. Two of the four goals were worthy of winning any match, along with the crossing from Kieran Rose.

Although the game was a complete rout, injuries were sustained, with Niall Delahoy and Alan Carr struggling, which meant hard work from physio Trish Wintersgill to get the lads fit.

The lads needed to win the next match and Kieran Rose stepped up his game with a quality hat-trick, assisted by some excellent throughballs from James Reed and Jordan Nuttell. The end result was a 3-0 success for Boston.

A draw was needed in the last game for qualification to the finals but the lads went one better and won 3-0, with goals from Jordan Nuttell, James Reed and Rhys Howden. Further knocks were sustained though and players faced a race against time to be fit for the finals.

SUNDAY:
On Sunday, the team lost the services of Alan Carr, who was needed back with the under-15s. Despite depleted numbers, the lads were up for Sunday’s games and Niall Delahoy, Charlie Butt and Jordan Lote stepped up and trundled on as the walking wounded.

The first match of the finals saw Boston play some fantastic football, which was arguably their best of the season. Trailing 1-0, Boston finally equalised when a great ball from Jordan Nuttell set Rhys Howden on his way and he duly obliged by rifling home, final score 1-1.

The lads now needed to win the next game and responded by trouncing the opposition 4-1, with goals from Charlie Butt, James Reed and two for Rhys Howden.

The same 11 went out again and drew 0-0, which meant Boston headed into their final match knowing that anything other than a win would mean elimination. The game was tough and despite restricting the opposition, Boston never looked like scoring either and were knocked out, final score 0-0.

Many positives came out of the tournament and full credit goes to the lads for the way they played and performed in the tournament.

Boston United would like to thank Bakkavor Pizzeria, East Coast Culverts, Allseas Cargo, Castle Mouldings, Anglian Water Kesteven Sports and Social Club and Tesco Boston for their support of Holland Tour 2008.