Millenium stadium hosted the club county champs competition, a great day out for all we scored a few goals, defended well, played the ball about and had a few saves to make, something for the players to cherish for life how many of us can say we have played at the millenium stadium!
Kilgetty under 9s continued their successful season with a deserved victory at Llanybydder on Saturday 23rd June 2007.
An early start from the clubhouse did not deter the boys from turning up with their usual enthusiasm and a determination to perform to the best of their ability. Unsurprisingly the same could not be said for the parents in attendance who had seen the weather forecast, and had prepared for a long day of wet n windy conditions.
Upon arrival, the twelve invited teams were separated into two pools of six, playing matches of 12 minutes duration, with the top two from each pool qualifying for the semi-finals.
Kilgetty’s first three matches against Felinfach, Newcastle Emlyn and Cardigan all -ended as goalless draws despite Kilgetty dominating possession and dealing adequately with the attacking threat against them. In all three games Aaron (and Jake for one game) had very little to do in goal thanks to the strong defensive duo of Matthew and James, who not only stifled any forward runs of the opposition, but were able to push forward and support the hardworking midfield trio of Kurtis, Daniel and Liam. Good inter play, and off the ball running, created several goal scoring chances for themselves and the lone striker’s position which was rotated between Donovan, Jack and Jake. The frustrations of not being able to score were felt by all, but a solid team ethic ensured that the opposition could not take advantage.
The penultimate pool game against Penparc was a must win for Kilgetty if they were to qualify for the semi – finals. The boys raced out of the blocks and attacked from the whistle. They closed down the opposition and were first to the ball every time. Aaron was again fairly redundant, but made his presence known when called upon, Matthew and James were consistently solid in defence, pushing forward at every opportunity. Liam, Kurtis and Daniel supported by Donovan, Jack and Jake surged goalwards with wave after wave of attack and netted three times. This result left Kilgetty on six points with a goal difference of +3 and Penparc (who had now completed all their matches) on nine points with a goal difference of +2.
Felinfach had won all of their other pool matches and had qualified in top spot, which meant that Kilgetty needed a win against Aberaeron B in their final game to ensure qualification as pool runners up.
The boys were certainly up for it and again charged forward from the off. Kilgetty were three nil up within five minutes, which enabled coach Brian Cullen to ring the changes by letting the three strikers all play together and rely upon Kurtis, Matthew, James and Aaron to hold it together at the back. A momentary lapse of concentration allowed Aberaeron to breach the Kilgetty net for the first time. A quick reply was needed to recapture supremacy and it was duly delivered. The final score 4 – 1 and Kilgetty were through.
The semi-final was against the pool winners of the second group, Aberaeron A who were determined to gain revenge for their B team’s earlier elimination. As expected this contest started slowly with neither team wanting to make the first error. However some frank advice delivered from the touchline of nail biting parents and coach was taken to heart by the players and a more positive approach ensued. Kilgetty pressure led to a spate of corners and with all players pushing up. The ball remained in the Aberaeron area until finally the deadlock was broken. This stung Aberaeron into life but resolute defending by all players ensured that Kilgetty progressed into the final.
With the sun now beating down and the earlier rain a distant memory Kilgetty faced the winners of the other semi-final, Felinfach, against whom they had started the competition. In the knowledge that they had already dominated the previous encounter the boys appeared to have one hand on the trophy, but they still had the business to do and a pre match team talk left them with no illusions as to the task ahead of them.
It was a pleasure to witness individual egos being put aside (well as much as possible) and a team spirit enveloped the boys who all worked tirelessly for each other, determined to fulfil their earlier expectation. Felinfach showed a commitment equal to Kilgetty’s and ensured that the match flowed from end to end. Again, despite good opportunities Kilgetty could not reproduce the goal scoring touch but their resolute defending made it difficult for the opposition to break them down. At the full time whistle the match was goalless, two periods of 4 minutes extra time followed, yet still the sides could not be separated and neither goal was breached.
The final would be settled by penalties. Memories of the recent European U-21 tie between England and Holland became topic of conversation, but the boys were unphased. All the boys volunteered to take a kick, and all were keen to go first, however rules is rules and the first five had to be selected for names to be given to the referee (who would be a coach?). Aaron was given the support of his team mates and with the instruction “go on son be a hero” echoing in his ears stepped into the goal to face the first penalty kick.
Felinfach scored.
Jake had been given the task of going first for Kilgetty and powered the ball into the back of the net.
Felinfach’s second shot went wide of the right hand post.
Matthew walked forward to try and establish an early lead and duly rifled his shot past the Felinfach keeper.
Felinfach’s third was a powerful shot that went straight into the grateful arms of an overjoyed Aaron, the Kilgetty cheers drowned the sound of the thumping hearts beating on the touchline.
Daniel stepped into the breach and confidently despatched his shot into the back of the net.
Felinfach scored with their fourth attempt, leaving the score 3-2 to Kilgetty.
Kurtis had been nominated slot number four and knew that a clean strike would ensure victory. He placed the ball on the spot, looked up, a wry smile towards the keeper, took a couple of steps back and with a thump the ball flew into the net.
Kilgetty had won.
A deserved victory that made the long day and lengthy journey well worth the effort.
Parents and coach were united in their pride of the boys and the effort they had put in as a team, working together to produce the goods on the pitch.
The squad of Aaron Ebsworth, Matthew Dickinson, James Worrall, Kurtis Marsh, Liam Cullen, Daniel Davies, Donovan Griffin, Jake Owen and Jack Davies are all to be congratulated for their part in ensuring another success for the team.
During the presentation Liam was also awarded a trophy for “Player of the Tournament”. Well done.
A highly committed team effort, superbly honed by manager Brian Cullen, justifiably secured Kilgetty under 9s first trophy of the season.
An entourage of dedicated parents accompanied their boys to the Swansea suburb where they lived and breathed every kick, tackle and save. The inclement weather did not spoil the feast of football on display as Kilgetty pitched their wits against nine other teams from the Swansea district.
The pool stages began with Kilgetty drawn against Garden Village, Dunvant & Three Crosses, Murton Rovers, and Crwtherbert Colts. Three draws and one victory ensured that Kilgetty qualified for the semi-finals as group runners-up.
The semi-final paired Kilgetty against the tournament favourites, Pontardawe Town, who had been unbeaten for three seasons. A tense match flowed from end to end with both teams playing a neat passing game interjected by well timed tackling and inspired goalkeeping saves. The deadlock was broken half way through the second half and Kilgetty deservedly celebrated a victory that took them into the final.
The final, against Llandore Colts, who had narrowly beaten Garden Village on penalties in the other semi, was naturally tense with neither side wanting to make the first mistake. Kilgetty’s enthusiasm and work ethic was a pleasure to witness with all players determined to help each other on the pitch. A well taken goal from a corner saw Kilgetty take the lead, which they held onto until the last minutes when the referee awarded a controversial equaliser to Llandore.
The match entered six minutes of extra time for a golden goal to settle the tie. Kilgetty were the more determined and dominated possession for the two minutes it took to score the all important winner.
Players and parents celebrated the win in style leaping for joy as the excited youngsters beamed with pride.
The boys fully deserved their win, which ensured that the disappointment they felt when going out at the semi final stage of their own competition two weeks earlier faded into a distant memory.
The team of Aaron Ebsworth, Luke Williams, Matthew Dickinson, Kurtis Marsh, Liam Cullen, Daniel Davies, James Worrell and Jacob Owen are all to be congratulated for fine individual performances but more importantly a terrific team effort.
Well done boys and a special thank you to Brian for all of his continued hard work.
Former Kilgetty junior, Callum Proctor was recently called up to the Welsh Under 15 football squad that travelled to Dublin for the Tri-Nations tournament featuring Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales.
Playing as a lone striker in the Northern Ireland match, Wales finished as 1-0 winners in an exciting and enthralling game, where Callum went close to scoring on several occasions.
In the following match against the Republic of Ireland, Callum managed to find the net twice, again playing as a solitary front man. Unfortunately, Wales were beaten 4-2 on the day, but Callum was praised generously by Brian Flynn, the current under 17s manager, for an excellent performance.
Zac Rowell & Ollie Gamble were singled out by former Manchester United star, Gordon Hill, as two of the most promising up & coming palyers of their age group, when they attended the recent Gordon Hill Soccer School in Tenby.
Both boys were given special awards for their contribution over the three days. Zac can be seen in the photo above holding the football, with Ollie on his right.
After an absence of almost two years, the Kilgetty AFC website is back!
Work and Family pressures had meant that I had been unable to continue updating the website, and after a while of it being so out of date, I just had to take it down. It had become a bit of an embarresment! But now, I’ve managed to cobble something together quickly in a Format that will let a whole heap of people take ownership of it.
If you are involved with the club, and would like to contribute to the articles being posted, please get in touch and I’ll add you as an editor.
The design will change a bit over the next couple of weeks (let’s be fair, its a bit of a mess at the moment), as and when I can get a bit of time to finish it off.
Keep coming back, it’s gonna grow…
