Panthers win against all the odds / Bury Town put to the sword / Seany Boy on the spot / Max top scorer / Tom relentless / Joseph immense and feisty / Lawrence full-on / Jack the Acrobat / Proudest Day / 5 years of hurt / The boys were absolutely blooming brilliant / Coach nominates himself Coach of the tournament / It doesn’t get much better than this!!!
The Panthers have not won any silverware since we began, yes we have won the MK Fair Play award and we won Division 2 at U9 level but we have never won a tournament. Years of hurt never stopped us dreaming!
As we entered the prestigious Northampton Town tournament, we knew it would be tough and secretly I had plans around winning the Shield as the opposition were very strong. Bury Academy brought down 2 teams from Manchester and the only other team we knew was Bedford Panthers who had gone unbeaten all season in Division 2 of the Chiltern Sunday League. It was said that the top teams from Northants and around were entered. Our Jack spotted some ex MK Academy players in other teams.
It was a wonderful day for it and the Goals centre in Northampton was packed for this exciting event.
Panthers were drawn in a group of 5 and our first game was against Bury Town 1. The lads were up for it but you could sense slightly concerned that we would be overwhelmed a little.
The game panned out superbly for the Pinkies and we did not let Bury settle after their long journey. It was amazing that I suspected we would be the ones getting out-muscled but it was the other way around. I will not report on each game fully so will show the results and scorers with a comment. The Bury coach commented on our technical ability and movement after the game:
Panthers 2 v 0 AFC Bury Town
Scorers
Frensham
Bowman
Fine dominating performance against pre tournament favourites
ON Chenecks 1 v 3 Panthers
Another dominating display, great work rate and passing perfection
Scorers
Bowman 2
Frensham 1
Crick Colts 1 v 1 Panthers
Panthers dominate but late equaliser halts unbeaten start
Scorer
Bowman
Panthers 2 v 1 Chasewell Park 3
Fine game against the team that won their opening 3 games too – end to end stuff. Bizarre once Max puts Panthers one-up and then hits a free kick against the post, it rebounds up the other end and Chasewell, in their Argentina strip equalise. Max hits another cracking free kick to seal the win. Lawrence and Tom work like troopers and Joseph strong again. Jack makes fine stops
Scorer
Bowman 2
Quarter Final
Panthers 2 v 0 Chasewell Park 2
A hard fought game against another quality side. Goals from Joseph and Sean seal a fine wine. Jack was stretched a few times. Max bossed centre mid and thwarted many attacks as did Tom with tremendous work rate on the right. Very much the unsung hero of the tournament. Joseph gets into some real scraps and does superbly. Sean worries them with his movement up front and Lawrence does not stop.
Scorers
Frensham
Dickinson
Semi-Final
Panthers 3 v 2 Bugrooke
A fantastic semi-final against the unbeaten Bugbrooke fielding a host of stars – 2 on Oxford’s books. Panthers take the lead through Joseph and the Bugs equalise. Jack is outstanding and Sean scores another. The dangerous Bugbrooke striker strikes a superb effort to make it 2-2 and then, a penalty in the last minute and Sean, with all the pressure, smacks it home. An amazing team effort and whoop whoop we have made our first ever final!!! Scenes of joy for the Panthers!!!! Hurray Hurray!!!
Scorers
Frensham
Dickinson 2
FINAL
Panthers versus Chasewell Park 3
9/4/11
Attendance – sell out
The Pinks thought they would be playing Bedford Panthers in the Final but the Chasewell side walloped them in their semi. It was going to be a classic. Max and Tom hung back quite a bit to stem the threat of the dangerous left-sided Chasewell players and Sean make himself lots of space up-front. Jack was busy and equal to all thrown at him and Joseph was a gladiator again. A new Frensham today, skilful and strong and no surrender. Loved it. Chasewell take the lead but the Panthers worked so hard and Sean wriggled free to equalise. It was fast and furious and Panthers seal a penalty, again, in the last minute. Dicko (sorry Mrs D) whacks it home and the game is up. Dignified scenes of joy as the Panthers win a fabulous tournament!!!!
The Panthers get the trophies on the pitch at Half Time presented by Michael Jacobs from Northampton, he scored the winner v Liverpool this season. The plaudits for the boys in Pink came thick and fast from most teams. Lovely side, great keeper, superb team spirit and awesome passing.
I am so pleased for our wonderful boys and supporters, we deserved this and secure our first ever tournament win.
Well done to you all!!!!
