W
ith a bright start to the day, the teams wasted no time in their bids to be crowned Champions and
go on to participate in the Film Industry fivea-side tournament. Amongst the teams were sponsors Ben and Jerry’s and Empire Slough, who were eager to repeat last year’s success. The first round was the Group stages, which was split into four groups. Spectators were provided with more desire, more sweat
Pitch 3-Slough vs. Clydebank
and most definitely more goals, (one team
The defending champions had played well
conceding 59) than the group stages of this
up to this point but truly showed their skills
years’ Champions League. Quick feet and
in this match as they spread the ball well
good performances were shown by many
with the help from some quick footwork. The
players but by the end of the final whistle of
match started and finished in high tempo.
the last group match, we were left with eight
Final Score: Slough 6- 1 Clydebank
Quarter-Finals Next up were the knockout stages which
Ben and Jerry’s vs. Newcastle This game definitely turned up the heat as the referee was kept busy trying to keep tempers down. Both teams had a player sent off for bad sliding tackles which are against
teams, which included a top four all of whom were unbeaten.
Semi-Finals
Pitch 4- Newcastle vs. Bishops Stortford
the rules of 5-a-side. Newcastle scored first,
This game was more of an even affair
just after Ben and Jerry’s had a player sent
with both teams displaying good defending
off and managed to end the game on a high
and counter-acting play. Up to this point
as their last goal cheekily rolled in between
Newcastle’s defence had been almost rock
the legs of the goalkeeper to take them to the
saw the group winners matched up against
solid, conceding only once, but Bishops
final.
a runner up from the groups. Goals were
Stortford improved their play to score twice.
scored in every match, and the hot and then
However Newcastle pushed on to get the win.
wet weather was a perfect reflection of the up-and-down tempo that these four matches
Final Score: Newcastle 3- 2 Bishops Stortford
provided. Pitch 1- Ben and Jerry’s vs. High Wycombe Ben and Jerry’s continued to play some
Final Score: Ben and Jerry’s 1- 3 Newcastle Slough vs. Poole With the defending Champions hoping to reach the final for a second year, up against
Pitch 6- Poole vs. Birmingham
a Poole team that had improved massively
The pace of the game started off slow, as
from last year, the game started off well.
both teams struggled to produce any clear
However Slough yet again picked up the pace
good attacking football as they pushed High
cut chances. As the game went on, the teams
as their team scored in quick succession to
Wycombe’s defence back. High Wycombe
grew in confidence but neither side could
take the game to 2-nil. Poole struggled to
tried to stay in the game, but Ben and Jerry’s
provide the winning goal as it finished 2-2.
have shots on target put continued to press.
kept pressing and were awarded rightfully for
The game then went to penalties where Poole
Slough’s number 11 scored a nice side volley
their quick play.
had the edge.
for the third goal as Slough edged that little
Final Score: Ben and Jerry’s 5- 1 High Wycombe
Final Score: Poole 2 – 2 Birmingham Poole won 2-0 on penalties
12 | PULSE MAGAZINE | SUMMER 2013
closer to the title. Final Score: Slough 4-0 Poole