Active Soccer - Woking Active Soccer Schools Cup 2009

Woking Active Soccer Schools Cup 2009

13 Nov, 2009

November 5th saw the inaugural staging of the Active Soccer Cup for school years 3 & 4. The 7 a-side tournament held in the afternoon and in partnership with Manorcroft United Junior Football Club was held at Cooper’s Hill Recreational Ground the home of Manorcroft United. The event designed to encourage both boys and girls to be more active and to help promote healthy eating benefitted from support from both Somerfield Stores and the local market in Staines who both donated massive portions of fruit so each child was able to receive apples, Satsuma’s and bananas when collecting their certificates and medals at the end of the tournament as well as having fresh oranges and bananas available throughout the course of the event.

The games of ten minutes were refereed by several Sports Leaders from Strodes College in Egham and it must be said that by the end of the day they had all worked extremely hard and deserve praise for their excellent attitude and professionalism in making the event a success.

Six teams took part in the group stage with Manorcroft and Thorpe Lea representing Egham, St Jude’s and St Cuthbert’s representing Englefield Green, St Paul’s representing Addlestone and St Ann’s Heath from Virginia Water all playing each other with the top 4 teams progressing to the Semi Finals. After some hotly contested group games the Semi Final line up saw Manorcroft face St Ann’s Heath and St Cuthbert’s take on St Paul’s. Both Semis’ were very close and end to end affairs which is a credit to the boys and girls from all the teams involved. Both games finished 1-0 with St Ann’s and St Cuthbert’s progressing to the final.
It has to be said that a fantastic afternoon of football culminated with a closely fought edgy final in which both teams could have won, but as the crowds watched on, the inevitable penalty shoot-out was to decide the winners. It was decided that the 7 players on the pitch at the final whistle would all get the chance to take a penalty in a slightly unorthodox seven strike penalty shoot-out. With the score at 4-3 in St Ann’s favour after 6penalties each St Cuthbert’s had to score to take St Ann’s to a pressure last kick, however it wasn’t to be and St Cuthbert’s missed to leave St Ann’s winners with a penalty to spare.

So congratulations to St Ann’s Heath on winning the first ever Active Soccer Cup held in partnership with Manorcroft United JFC and Runnymede Borough Council.

Active Soccer Woking would like to thank all the schools that took part, all the children for their excellent behaviour throughout the day, each and every one of them can be proud of their performance both on and off the pitch in representing their schools. Also a big thank you to the parents that came to support the schools, it made for a terrific atmosphere. Manorcoft United must also be thanked for the use of ground which made for an excellent setting.