submitted photos
The Sarnia FC - U11 Boys Premier
team recently competed in their second tournament of the
season - "The Barrie All-Star Challenge". Having won their
first tournament of the year, the expectations were high
from both coaches and players alike.
After the long drive - the team
was raring to get things underway and the boys would face
Byron FC in their first match of the day! All games would be
played on the Mini fields which did not impress the team.
Whatever the case they were anxious to get things underway.
Sarnia FC would set a fierce tempo from the onset as Byron
would retreat to play a defensive style game. Sarnia would
score first on a crushing shot from mid-fielder Kyle
Flamminio. The Sarnia Reds would have ample opportunities
to increase their lead but the tight Byron defense stood
tall. Sarnia left-midfielder Nathan Hawkes would add to the
lead on a very nice demonstration of ball control as he
dribbled around two defenders and calmly fired the ball past
the Byron keeper. Great effort from all Sarnia players on a
great opening game! Both Jack Hutchison and Andrew Harron
stood tall in goal for Sarnia earning the shutout! Final
Score - Sarnia FC 2 - Byron FC 0.
Their second match pitted Sarnia
against the Woolrich Wolfpack. Woolrich would play 4 men in
their back end which made it difficult for Sarnia to
penetrate. Sarnia would get on the board first however, when
mid-fielder James Brown was taken down hard in the Woolrich
box resulting in a Penalty kick being awarded to Sarnia.
Striker, Mateo Troiani would be called upon to take the PK
and he did not disappoint his fellow teammates as he blasted
it into the right corner of the Woolrich goal. In the
second half, Sarnia would add to their lead when a deflected
ball found its way to Sarnia striker Ryan Janssens who went
in on the breakaway and fired a bullet past a sprawling
Woolrich keeper. Sarnia mid-fielder Dominic Krasinkiewicz
would close out the scoring for Sarnia as he hammered in a
loose rebound to make it a 3 - 1 final score.
On Sunday morning, Sarnia would
face the home team Barrie in their third game of the
preliminary round. The boys would dominate play,
maintaining possession for most of the game. The Sarnia team
would look very impressive in obtaining a 7 - 0 win over the
home squad. That victory would push Sarnia through to the
final championship game later on in the afternoon.
Sarnia FC would once again face
the Woolrich Wolfpack in the U11 finals. Unfortunately, the
overcast skies would open up as the rain began to fall prior
to the opening KO. The game would be a defensive match as
both teams commenced rather cautiously. Sarnia would
control play for most of the half but could not solve the
Woolrich keeper. As the half wound down , Woolrich would
open the scoring on a very questionable offside, as their
striker would fire the ball which eluded the Sarnia keeper.
The halftime whistle blew with Sarnia trailing by one.
The Sarnia boys came out strong
in the second half and pinned Woolrich deep in their end for
most of the play. Good scoring opportunities came and went
as Sarnia struggled to find the back of the net. They
showed great poise and execution but there was not much room
as Woolrich retreated all players in the 18 yrd box. The
final whistle would sound leaving Sarnia trailing by one
goal to close out the tournament. An unfortunate scenario
for Sarnia however all coaches could not have asked for more
of an effort from the Red machine! Overall - A great
tournament showing for the Sarnia FC - U11 Premier team.
They outscored their opponents 12 - 2, and dominated most
play!
Their next tournament scheduled
is the A.C. Douglas in Niagara Falls!!