The Shrewsbury Cup: - 4th - 7th August 2009

Day 1 - The Tigers U.16's squad made the 2 hour journey to Shrewsbury School only to find they'd been allocated rooms in the same block as the Mexican U.17's boys squad. " I don't think so " were the printable words used by club secretary Wayne. After lengthy negotiations the tigers were driven to their new base, which just so happened to be the same hotel as the one where the referees were staying including premiership official Dermot Gallagher. Having booked into their rooms and having visited the venue where all the action was to take place over the next 3 days the squad then went back to the school for their evening meal to be followed by a kickabout with The Mexicans before returning to their hotel for an "EARLY NIGHT!!!" - I don't think so looking at the state of some of the squad at breakfast on Wednesday morning.

Day 2 - Following breakfast the tigers got on the bus to the Shrewsbury Sports Village where they were booked in for an early morning training session with The David Beckham Soccer Academy, which was based at the ground all week. The girls were certainly put through their paces with a 90 minute full on session which left them enough time to recover for their first game of the tournament against Ludlow Town @ 2p.m. The eagerly anticipated first match saw a tight first half with the scores level @ 2 v 2 @ the interval with the tigers coming from behind to level. Fitness was the key in the second half plus some clinical finishing from Amy & Jade who both scored superb hat-tricks to give the tigers a comfortable 6 v 2 win. The afternoon saw the squad enter a competition held by The David Beckham crew and it saw Rhian Cleverly & Ellie Leek triumph. The girls all received footballs whilst the 2 Champions also won a day out at the academy in London. An evening to relax for the squad and make new friends with what promised to be a busy Day 3 to follow.

Day 3 - Sunshine again welcomed day 3, as it did all week, with the tigers knowing that this day would make or break their week. Llanidloes were their first opponents and the tigers needed very little winding up for this one with memories of the Tesco Cup Finals in Cardiff, when we weren't permitted to play our full squad and indeed only had 10 players, fresh in their minds. The girls turned in a magnificent display to blow away Llanidloes with goals from: - Amy - 2, Kate, Jade & Zoe. This left the whole squad buzzing and knowing that 1 point from their second game of the day would see them through to tomorrow's Shrewsbury Cup Final. With temperatures rising in the midday sun and just a 2 hour gap between games it was a big ask against a big and physical Aberystwyth Town outfit. The girls started slowly but falling behind to a well taken goal woke the sleepy tigers with Zoe levelling the scores befor the break. To say the second half was a one side affair would be an understatement with the tigers providing an onslaught on the Aberystwyth goal. However chance after chance went begging and it looked the game was destined for a draw until a through ball in injury time found striker Ellie Leek who FINALLY found the net to seal a deserved victory and book the tigers place in the final. A shattered squad returned to base to get patched up and prepare for the big game. A late fire alarm didn't help, though the sight of our very own Fireman Sam - Big Wayne helping an elderly guest to safety in just his shorts, certainly lifted the mood.

Day 4 - Cup Final Day: - A light breakfast followed by the girls reluctantly checking out of their plush surroundings was followed by the short journey to the sports village to prepare for the big game. On arrival at the village the tigers were greeted with the news that they'd face Llanidloes and been given the honour of playing on the main stadium pitch @ 3.15p.m. This gave the tigers plenty of time to say goodbye to their new friends from foreign shores and for the travelling "Barmy Army" to come up from South Wales. Their numbers were boosted by 1 week old Ella, daughter of Lyndsay, who was attending her first of many Tiger Matches. With kick off fast approaching the tigers prepared for the cup final with gentle reminders of events in Cardiff 2 months previous. Having beaten Llanidloes comfortably in the group stage the girls knew this would be a tougher encounter and so it proved. The tigers were thwarted on several occasions in the first period by an eager linesman but the old saying "If at first you don't succeed" came true when with minutes remaining in the half the offside trap was finally broken, the flag stayed down, and Kate fired home to give them a 1 v 0 lead. We lost Paige through injury which meant a change of tactics with Rhiannon coming on to replace her. Kate had an early chance to double the lead and her own goal tally but saw her penalty saved well by the Llanidloes keeper. However the tigers were never going to let this one slip through their grasps. Having soaked up a lot of pressure they broke quickly and how apt it was that young Amy, playing out of position in midfield most of the week, scored 2 tremendous goals to top the tournament scorers chart with 7 and wrap up a thoroughly deserved cup final victory 3 v 0. The final whistle brought wild celebrations both on and off the pitch and with Jade receiving not only the cup from former Wales manager Mike Smith but also the Player Of The Tournament Award it was a perfect end to a thoroughly enjoyable week. Much needed refreshments in the cafe plus our very own travelling SUBWAY - Gareth gave the girls renewed energy for the return journey.

Tour Summary: - It has to be said but the whole TIGER SQUAD were a credit to their parents, the club and to Wales and will treasure many great memories from their week in Shrewsbury. The spirit which has been built up at the club over the past 7 years has been enhanced and recognised when the girls were given a full training kit each by The David Beckham Academy staff for their superb attitude not only on the field, where their record speaks for itself, but also as important off the pitch, WELL DONE TIGERS - I'm VERY PROUD OF YOU.

Yours In Sport

Wayne Jeremiah - Club Coach & Secretary. 

Cardiff - C.Y.P. 5 a side championships: -
In March the tigers travelled to Cardiff to compete in the Welsh Indoor Championships. The U.12's reached the final thanks to a penalty shoot out victory in the semi-finals against Margam. The final saw them play Port Talbot, a tem made up of players throughout South Wales and lost 1 v 0.
Finishing runners up means they qualify for the U.K. finals at Derby in May. This will be the fourth year that a team from our club has represented Wales in Derby.
Our U. 14's can count themselves very unfortunate because despite being unbeaten and not conceeding a single goal they failed to reach the second round.

Cardiff City v Sunderland Trip: -
March 31st saw the tigers squad travel to Ninian Park for a very special day.A special training session with a city coach was followed by front row seats to watch the championship match between Cardiff City and Roy Keane's Sunderland. Best was to come at half time when 16 tigers went onto the pitch and in front of more than 19 000 fans played a game which must be said turned out to be more exciting than the real thing. Ellie - 4, Sophie - 2, Kate J. & Alice - 1 provided the goals in a 4 v 4 thriller. The crowd showed their appreciation with loud applause as the tigers did a lap of honour.
Sunderland scored the only goal of a disappointing match in the second half but nothing could dampen the girls' spirits as they returned on the coach to Abergavenny full of great memories of a wonderful day.

South Powys Easter Tournament - Brecon 2007: -
As usual a fantastic tournament with Mardy Tigers playing in the 1993 & 1995 age groups. This year Clubs For Young People Wales were allowed to enter and with them calling on the best players from clubs throughout South Wales normal club sides were at a distinct disadvantage.
Having said that our youngsters beat C.Y.P. 2 v 1 in their first game but a late goal by Thornhill to inflict their only defeat in the league section cost them a place in the semi-finals.
Our older players played some stunning football defeating Newport County 9 v 0 in their first match. Finishing runners up in the group meant a semi-final tie against C.Y.P. A first half goal gave the representative side victory but the tigers take great credit from their display as a mere CLUB side.

Kilgetty 2007: -
A superb day out for all on a hot sunny day in April. Our U.15's topped their group and a semi-final against Coed Cae went all the way. After a 1 v 1 draw it came down to penalties and with Lauren in fantastic form saving all Coed Cae's kicks Kate stepped forward to take the tigers to the final. The final against Clubs For Young People Wales was a tense affair and although the tigers were by far the better side they just couldn't score. A penalty shoot out would decide the winners and again Lauren saved all C.Y.P's kicks allowing Ellie to slot home and give the tigers the title. Led by captain Sharla the girls stepped forward to receive their trophies.
Our U.12's finished second in their group with 3 wins and 2 draws booking a semi-final spot against host club Kilgetty. Chances were missed by both sides and with a 0 v 0 score at the final whistle again it was penalties. After 5 each the scores were level 2 v 2 although everyone except the referee thought Jonesy had won it only to see her goal ruled out. Sudden death saw the decisive moment when Leah's shot was saved and sent Kilgetty through to the finals. Tears flowed from the young tigers but after playing their hearts out all day they could be proud of their performance.

Brean Sands 2007: -
The tigers travelled to Brean Sands in May and won the Mitre Ultimatch Cup with a dramatic penalty shoot out against Cadburys Heath.
Playing sides from all over Engaland the tigers were undefeated all weekend with 5 victories and 2 draws.
In the final the tigers levelled the match with the very last kick of the game and with 5 successful penalty kicks they won the trophy and received it from Welsh captain Jayne Ludlow. A full tour report can be read on HARRY HOTSHOT.

Swindon 2007: -
A superb day was had by all in June with the highlight a fantastic tournament victory for our mini tigers. The U.10's clinched a dramatic final victory with a penalty shoot out. Goalkeeper Megan Stark was the star of the show with 2 great saves. Our U.12's & 14's also enjoyed a good day both reaching the semi-finals. The U.14's can count themselves very unfortunate as they were unbeaten only to lose on penalties after outplaying their semi-final opponents Bradford Town Youth. 17 matches were played over 9 hours by the tigers and a record of: - Played - 17   Won - 10   Drew - 6   Lost - 1   For - 25   Against - 7 says it all. A big thanks again to the travelling Barmy Army!!! giving the youngster fantastic support.