Saturday 5^th May saw the Young Swans travel the short distance to Burton to take part in their annual 5-a-side tournament.

First up was Greenfields, the only side in our league to score more than 2 goals against us. A battling display and goal from Drew helped secure a 1-1 draw. Next up was unknowns Cannon Colts, another fine display saw a 2-1 triumph with Callum and Louie providing the goals. A 3-0 demolition of host team Burton, goals from Drew (2) and William saw the Young Guns easily qualify for the knockout stage. The final group match was against Rossgarth who played very well and beat us 1-0 but with a quarter Final place secure the result did not matter.

The quarter final saw the Young Guns come against another host team the Burton Stars, again they were no match as goals from Drew (2) and Callum secured a 3-1 semi-final place. The game will be remembered for a bizarre own goal from Bradley, who’s winning tackle unfortunately caught out Matthew in goal and flew past him into the net.

The semi-final saw us play the winners of the other group. Kingswood had won all four of their group games and I knew from our last encounter that they were improving rapidly. The Young Guns were caught cold and lost an early goal. From then on they were always chasing the game, chances were created but not taken and Kingswood ran out worthy winners.

A brave display from the Young Swans although I did feel that expectation was too high, after starting strongly, we faltered in the last group match but picked up again in the knockout stages. Encouraging for the future.

Sunday 13th May saw the Young Guns take part in the 11^th East Dorset 6-a-side competition run by Cannon Colts in Colehill. A brilliant team display in shocking weather conditions saw the Young Guns win the tournament 3-1 on penalties against a very good Parkstone Heights team.

The group stages began in pouring rain against Kingswood A, the team who beat them in the semi-final the week before. Goals from Drew and Callum saw off Kingswood for a well deserved 2-0 win. The second match saw the Young Guns, in similar conditions beat a weak Corfe Mullen B side, with goals from Drew and Callum again. A similar victory in the third game against the hosts Cannon Colts saw the Young Guns on the verge of semi-final qualification, this time it was Callum and Danny who scored the goals. A battling 2-2 draw against Broadstone in the fourth game looked to have thwarted their advance. The pleasing aspect was having to come back from a goal down to take the lead only to lose a goal in the closing seconds. The goals were scored by Drew and Callum who was having an inspired competition. The final group match against Parkstone Heights was an anti-climax as the Young Guns slumped to a 1-0 defeat putting qualification in the balance. Parkstone played some good passing football, which is a theme I constantly put across to the team. After a quick check of the league table, we were through to the semi-finals to play Corfe Mullen A.

In the pouring rain and a pitch that resembled a swimming pool, the Young Guns produced the display of the tournament. Inspired by Callum and William the Swans took complete control of the first half. Drew punished slack passing by Corfe to score twice and they boys were on their way to the final. After Callum got hurt, Bradley took centre stage and made the required running and tackling to thwart any Corfe comeback.

After a lengthy delay, due to pitches becoming unplayable, the Young Guns took to the field against Parkstone Heights. I knew the Parkstone passing game would be unsuitable for the conditions and so it proved. We had chances to win it but couldn’t convert them. The game went to penalties, Drew stepped up for the first and scored, Parkstone missed their first, with Matthew getting the faintest of touches to deflect the ball onto the crossbar. William was up next and crashed his penalty home for 2-1. Parkstone scored again with Matthew almost saving. Bradley stepped up and blasted the winning spot kick home. I had forgotten it was only three penalties each and tried to calm everyone until Rob pointed out we’d won!!