Malta Rally Football Tournament
Abbey Gate College do the Double in the
Malta Rally Football Tournament
Abbey Gate College Under 16 and Under 15 teams returned victorious from a 5 day tour of Malta over half term. The two teams comprising of 33 boys embarked on a football intensive trip with morning coaching courses by renowned international coaches followed up by evening games, as part of the Malta Rally Football Tournament.
The first round of matches were against the local leading term Melita and the Under 16’s started slowly drawing their first game which finished1-1 courtesy of a John Boughey second half strike. The Under 15 team started strongly winning 7-0 with Myles Reid, Edward Williamson, Nicholas Bellis and Ben Phillips scoring a goal each but it was the impressive Cameron Ryalls who was eager to come off the bench and get into the game. He demonstrated his adaptability by playing on the right side of mid-field and scoring a fine hat-trick, a day to remember without a doubt.
The second round of matches against Floriana, after another morning of training in the blistering heat, saw the Under 16s finally get into their stride with a 3-1 win aided by a 10 minute Max Raynor hat trick. A number of open goal misses were probably the high point of the day for the substitutes on the bench who would never have missed such easy chances! Unfortunately the same substitutes struggled to score in a robust second half and actually let in a late consolation goal.
The Under 15s had another impressive 4-0 win with goals from Ben Phillips, Ben Handley and two from Henry Smith. In only letting in one goal across both teams the contributions of both goalkeepers Jack Pearson for the U16s and Otis Chamberlain for the U15s should not be overlooked. The highlight of the second day was Otis’s dribble out of goal to then spectacularly miss-kicked his final clearance earning the “Dioff” of the day.
A rest day followed to sample the delights of the Maltese sun and the local Aqua Park where the boys spent most of their time playing water volleyball. A brief excursion into the busy shopping area of St. Julian allowed staff to sample the local ice cream and the boys to find the local McDonalds!
On the final day the College competed in a Round Robin tournament.
In the first games against Floriana the Under 15s showed signs of fatigue in a goalless draw but credit must be given to the Floriana team whose game plan was to merely defend and have ten men behind the ball for 60 minutes. The 15s played the ball neatly but unfortunately could not find that killer touch in the last 3rd of the pitch.
The Under 16’s found top form after a nervy start an own goal and clever finish from Max Raynor settled the team down. The scoring was completed by a lovely flowing move finished at pace by Finlay Pilkington, as the team finally played excellent possession football.
Both teams had to win their final match and the Under 15s fell behind early on before a Ben Handley free kick into the top corner restored the equilibrium. The pace and power of Nick Bellis then tore the home defence apart scoring a well deserved hat trick and Ben Handley scoring his second of the match in a 5-1 triumph
The Under 16s faired even better with a highly combative performance shutting out the opposition. A far post finish from Henry Mathews was soon followed by a downward header from Max Raynor and then an astute chip by Henry Mathews as the team played some fantastic football. The three early goals allowed all 19 players to play some part in the game. A fitting end was the left foot volley from Luke Burton into the top corner in the final minute to spark a mass invasion from all the team to celebrate. Final score 4-0.
In true Hard Rock Café style the team were presented later that evening with their trophies as winners of both the Junior and Senior Malta Rally football cups. Apparently it is a tradition to dance on the tables; it just a good job we won both cups which were presented to the respective team captains of the Under 16s, Jonathon Steventon and Under 15s, Jonathan Aplas.
A fantastic experience for all the boys on how to prepare and train correctly for matches in a hot environment where re- hydration is vital. All the boys acquitted themselves well and their behaviour was impeccable making it a highly enjoyable experience for all four teachers; Mr Barton & Mr Green (Under 15s) and Mr Cutler & Mr Williams (Under 16s).