Robins teams from all age groups have enjoyed a busy and succesful summer at 6- and 7-a-side tournaments all across the region, with Robins teams flying the flag in venues from Bristol to Corsham to Devizes to Thatcham (plus the usual suspects of Highworth and the County Ground)! Malmesbury seems to have been this summer's most popular tournament with Robins teams, with the U8s, U10s and U11s all putting in a good show across the weekend.
The U11s (this season's U12s) were first out of the traps, playing on the Friday night at the Swindon Town Football in the Community tournament at the County Ground in May. Those who remember that far back will recall we had some atrocious weather around that time, and the boys played well through some terrible conditions, albeit on a lovely surface. They acquitted themselves well in a tough group, beating a 1st Division team along the way. Strong performances at the Highworth tournaments in June culminated in progressing to the semi-finals of the Malmesbury tournament after knocking out higher-ranked teams, including not just a nail-biting penalty shoot-out but a match-winning goal from regular keeper Alex! The boys were a little unlucky to face the eventual winners in the semis, and as the game went into extra time the scorching heat took it's toll and they just ran out of time to equalise an extra-time strike. A great summer to cap last season's title-winning heroics and set the boys up well for this season's tough campaign in U12s Div 2. You can see a small gallery of photos from the summer here.
The U10s (this season's U11s) were perhaps the most adventurous, starting their summer campaign with a trip out to Yate, near Bristol and under a stand-in management team to boot. But no matter who's in the dug-out, the lads always know what they're doing on the pitch as they showed with some great performances. After a slow start in the group stages at Yate they were looking at an early bath but then it all clicked into place as the boys found their touch and realised that they did know each other! Some great football and great performances saw them win their last three group games to book a place in the semi-final which after a gruelling 0-0 draw they won on penalties! The final was against the form team of the tournament, Abbeymeads from Glos', and after a hard match, this too had to be decided from spot kicks. Sadly, this time it wasn't to be as Robins went down in sudden death, 3-4, but a great experience and a (runners-up) trophy to boot. We'll be back! The U10s were also at Malmesbury which was a more familiar turn-out than Yate, with many of the "usual suspects" from the League in attendance. The team won 4 of their 5 group games to progress to the quarter finals where they faced old rivals Highworth, always strong opponents. Again the game went to extra time and penalties and again that mental toughness came into play as Robins progressed to the semis on a 3-1 penalty win. The semis proved a step too far in the swelteringly hot conditions as Robins went down fighting 1-3 to a strong Greenmeadow side. The boys played their hearts out for each other and battled through every game showing some great team spirit and determination that will set them up well for the season ahead. You can see a small gallery of photos from the summer here.
Our youngest league team the U7s, (this season's U8s) also ventured out into unfamiliar territory with a trip to a strong tournament in Corsham. They competed against strong teams from both Mid-Wilts League and from Bristol and did really well, unbeaten throughout the day. A great day out, some great performances, a chance to test themselves against strong and unfamiliar opposition, and a trophy each to boot! You can see a small gallery of photos from the summer here.
The U8s (this season's U9 Reds and U9 Whites) entered two sides in the County Ground Football in the Community tournament and both played really well and had a great time playing on the pitch where so many of them enjoy watching their Swindon Town heroes play. Both teams played really well in tournaments at Highworth, a mixed team won the fair play award against a strong line-up at the well-regarded Thatcham tournament and the "Whites" also put in a great display at the well-visited Malmesbury tournament, giving a couple of strong sides a real shock! Meanwhile the "Reds" took the biscuit for latest tournament of the summer, playing in the Bishops Canning tournament on Sept 8th after their opening league fixture was postponed! You can see a small gallery of photos from the summer here.
All our Robins sides have acquitted themselves extremely well over the summer, setting themselves up well for a tough League campaign to come and most importantly having loads of fun along the way!