On the 9th April 23 students and 4 staff left the College site bright eyed and bushy tailed at 2am to catch their early morning flight to Spain to take part in the prestigious 'Valencia Cup'.
The two college sides competing were the 1st X1 and the Under 13 team. For 5 days they were going to live a life similar to that of a professional footballer: staying in a 4* hotel, training at a La Liga football club training ground and receiving coaching from professionals.
The sides started their tournament on Easter Friday with fixtures against local Spanish opposition. The Under 13 team were slightly daunted by the occasion and being one of the youngest teams in their group were defeated in their first game 3-0 by Sant Gabriel.
In their second game they faced another side Vilarejo and produced a much better performance. After going behind 1-0 Henry Phoenix ran onto the ball and was brought down in the box. Scott Lyle stepped up to the kick and drilled it into the right hand side of the goal. The side’s second goal was a classic move. Dominic Boorman spread the ball wide from midfield to Scott Lyle who crossed for Henry Phoenix to drive the ball from 15 yards into the net. A dubious push on goalkeeper Will Dewing brought the opposition level. Two further goals for the opposition saw them win 4-2.
In their third game the Under 13 side gave their best performance of the tournament. Dominic Boorman and Jordan Lake were excellent in midfield, Scott Lyle was making good runs down the right hand side, Will Dodds and Freddie Steele were strong in defence and Will Dewing made some great saves in goal.
In their first game the 1st side recorded their first victory in Europe. Following several goalmouth chances for James Hale the Spanish player Raul scored for the college side. A second half chest and volley from Sam Firman brought out an excellent save from the Base Vicremei goalkeeper, and 2 headers from Christian Money also caused great concern in the opposition defence.
During the second day typical English weather prevailed. In their second match, enjoying the rainstorm, the side defeated another Spanish side Aresco 4-0. For the first a great corner from Sam Firman landed on James Lee’s head and he powered it into the back of the net. Firman then landed a free kick into the area for James Hale to latch onto and slide the ball past the keeper. Firman then turned from provider to scorer for the third goal with a flick off his right foot past the keeper. The fourth goal followed a quick one – two between Holden and Firman on the edge of the area and a through ball to Hale who smashed the ball inside the goalkeepers near post.
Going into the final group game the team knew that they had qualified for the knock-out stages but wanted to do so as group winners. Despite playing all the football the side found themselves behind 1-0 as the teams changed ends for the second half. Continuing to dominate another Firman free kick was latched onto by Paul Lake who calmly slid the ball under the goalkeeper’s body. Towards the end of the game a James Hale header was brilliantly saved by the keeper and denied the side the victory they deserved. Both sides were locked on the same points and same goal difference. Due to a poorer disciplinary record the college side were given second place and faced Spanish Second division academy team Levante in the semi-final. The Levante side produced a great performance to beat the college side, who due to a small squad were finding their 4th match in 2 days a real test of their fitness. This side then went onto win the tournament.
The tour also included a visit to the Valencia Mestalla stadium, a La Liga fixture between Villarreal and Malaga and a visit to the Museum of Arts and Science. All the boys must be complimented on their behaviour and attitude throughout the whole of the trip. This was commented on by hotel staff, company representatives and the general public.
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