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Youngsters produce sizzling football at Leading Drove
YOU didn't have to go down Wembley Way to be bathed in beautiful sunshine at a fabulous footballing occasion this weekend. There was another big bash on the calendar much closer to home.
YOU didn't have to go down Wembley Way to be bathed in beautiful sunshine at a fabulous footballing occasion this weekend. There was another big bash on the calendar much closer to home.The burger stand was not the only thing sizzling down at Leading Drove during two days of intense and exciting competition that made up the 10th annual Yaxley Festival of Football.
The six-a-side tournament is one of the staple dishes on the junior football tournament circus through the summer months and it is all down to the hard work and dedication of Yaxley first team manager Gary Clipston.
The event has grown in both stature and size since first being staged back in 2000 and it never fails to provide a fair few footballing fireworks, usually accompanied by some scorching sunshine.
This year it received top marks on both fronts. Club officials were left having to hastily replenish their beer stocks and the ice cream van sold out as temperatures soared, while some seriously talented young players in eight age groups strutted their stuff on the pitches.
It all left Clipston a very happy man. He said: "It astounds me that every year both the standard of football on show and the behaviour of the players and parents also seems to get better.
"I would have to say that yesterday was our best-ever day in terms of the football being produced.
"The tournament takes a hell of a lot of hard work to organise but I'm lucky to have so many people willing to help – and it is all worthwhile when you see so many people of so many different ages having such a good time.
"I would have loved to have played in tournaments like these, but they weren't around when I was a kid. It is my way of putting a little something back into football."
The youngest age brackets from Under 7 to Under 10 had their moment in the spotlight on Saturday before the Under 11 to Under 14 competitions took over yesterday.
Matches in the Under 7 and Under 8 age brackets were staged as friendlies in line with Football Association rules, while only one goal settled the Under 9 showpiece clash.
It came from the penalty spot and was scored by Bradley Catton as his Hampton Red side edged out Bourne Claret.
The goals flowed in the Under 10 finale as Glinton Blue got their hands on the trophy with a 3-0 victory over Werrington.
The city side had arrived at the showpiece stage without conceding a goal, but that all changed thanks to a screamer from man-of-the-match Piers Compton and a brace by player-of-the-day Sam Sheffield.
Yesterday it was the turn of host club's Yaxley blossoming junior stable to shine.
They were guaranteed a winner in the Under 11 section where Yaxley Yellow did battle with Yaxley Black in a final that went to extra-time.
In the end it was the latter side that emerged victorious thanks to a goal from Joe Graham.
Organiser Clipston was sure to be a proud man after his son Ashley settled the Under 13 final.
Clipston jnr grabbed the only goal to earn Yaxley A the trophy against Netherton Vultures. It was the only goal the Vultures conceded all day.
The Saints marched into the final of the Under 14 bracket, but the lads from Wisbech St Mary had to settle for runners-up spot as Stanground took the honours.
A single goal from Dan Lawler did the trick.
A familiar name and a familiar face were triumphant in the Under 12 section.
A bunch from crack local side Woodston Blue beat big rivals Gunthorpe Navy 1-0 in the showpiece with highly-rated Danny Rowe scoring the goal.
He was also a star turn when these two teams met in a Junior Alliance League Cup Final a couple of months ago.
The player-of-the-day accolade went to Trey West of Yaxley Yellow Under 11 – a young player with skills even flashier than his fluorescent boots!
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Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: -5 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
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