Some say that global temperatures are on the rise and that this year has been breaking records for hot days. But, here in the North West of England we can count, on one hand, the number of nice days we’ve had this summer. Today would not be included amongst them! The wizards at the met office had been offering tales of gloom from around mid-week, but we were hopeful that they would be wrong. They were not and it was a day of strong winds and driving rain.
Game on
But! The Mighty Vipers weren’t put off by a bit of water. Oh no, with 5 group games and a cup or plate semi-final place up for grabs the Vipers took to the field of play full of energy. And it was off to a good start easing past Fleetwood in the first game courtesy of a bit of magic from Luke Dignan who took the ball through 3 Fleetwood defenders and dispatched it into the far corner of the net to score the deciding goal.
The second game came against the eventual group winners – out of towners from Standish who already had a win under their belt. This was a very close affair with Vipers unlucky to take anything from it, after hitting the post and having a great chance just wizz across the face of goal. Standish took the points with a last gasp scrambled goal at the near post. Disappointing but not the end of the world.
Next up, Vipers were pitched against Leyland Pirates and got back on the winning track after a spell of concerted pressure, with Orrin Kane picking up a rebound and smashing it into the net to claim the points and to push Viper into second place in the group and with two games remaining.
Next up were BJFF, who had routed Fleetwood in their last game so the Vipers needed to be on their game for this one. This was a good even game with limited chances but a good watch for the neutral. 0-0 in that one.
Avatar
At this point the wind blew our gazebo down and with a bit of quick thinking Vipers and parents re-located it into the nearest trees. This was a masterstroke as the trees stopped the wind and the lads could sit, rain free in between games. From the outside it must’ve looked like a scene from the film Avatar as all anyone could see would be a lot of blue and yellow people living amongst the trees.
Onto the final game of the group and Vipers faced off against a Layton team who were mid-table. A win would see Vipers take second place in the group and progress into the cup semi-finals. Anything else would mean a place in the plate. As this game kicked off the driving rain returned, but it was a game of good play from both sides. Layton saw red in this game so Vipers were up against 10 players for a good portion of it and they made it count with James Costello flicking the ball in at the near post to secure the points.
Qualifying
A great group phase then saw Vipers finish second and progress to the cup semi-final. Here’s they face Macclesfield FC who in fairness to them were a very good team. It proved to be a game too far for the Vipers and Macclesfield took the win to progress through to the final (and win the cup in due course).
But, despite the weather and despite not going all the way the lads did themselves proud today and they all enjoyed themselves in the process.
Player of the tournament
There were some outstanding performances today and some really good teamwork, from right throughout the team, but a big thanks and congratulations to Brody Ward who helped us out in goal today and takes away our Player of the Tournament award. Well done Brody and to everyone who played today.
Thanks to all at BJFF for arranging, we’ll be back next year.
Up the Vipers.
