The persistent rain, commencing as the squad arrived couldn’t dampen the spirits of the U’9s at the Garden Village Tournament 2009. Both teams wanted to put in a good account of themselves building on last year’s efforts.

Team L opted for Group One to ply their trade on the Anfield Pitch, which left Team K with Group Two on The Racecourse.Team L played well but were unfortunate in front of goal. They went into the last game hoping to claim the victory that would send them into the semi finals. They played some attractive attacking football with some clear chances but were denied by some fine keeping.

In a rare interview Assistant Manager Lee Gabriel stated the team gave 110% and was really pleased with the way they performed:-

Group One Results

Llay YFC (L) 0 v Coedpoeth 1

Llay YFC (L) 0 v Garden Village 0

Llay YFC (L) 1 v Brickfield 0

Llay YFC (L) 0 v Mold Alex 3

Llay YFC (L) 0 v Penycae 0

Team K were hoping to equal last years Semi Final appearance. They absorbed early pressure to secure the all important opening win.

Some exciting attacking football continued resulting in two more victories before the first goal was conceded in the 1.1 draw in the final group game.

Group Two Results

Llay YFC (k) 2 v Coedpoeth 0

Llay YFC (k) 2 v Garden Village 0

Llay YFC (k) 2 v Brickfield 0

Llay YFC (k) 1 v Penycae 1

Semi Final:- Llay YFC (k)0 v Penycae 0 (AET)

The game continued in the same style as the group games, with good attacking football but unfortunately  a winning goal could not be found in normal or extra time.This left the team in the same position as last year which resulted in defeat for Llay. Would this year be different?

Penycae won the toss and opted to take the first penalty. This was skilfully placed bottom right giving the Keeper no chance.

Llay missed their opening two with the keeper saving and the framework denying the second penalty.

Penycae couldn’t increase their advantage with fine stops from the keeper preventing any increase in the score. Llay pulled level with the third only for Penycae to restore the lead with their fourth.

Llay failed to equalise but a fine stop prevented Penycae scoring their Third.

It was all down to the final penalty which was skilfully placed off the underside of the frame to make the scores 2.2 after five penalties.

To sudden death Penycae shot is well saved (4 saves out of 6pens) .

To the joy of the crowd the Llay score and proceed to the final!!!

Penalties Llay YFC(k) 3 Penycae 2

Final Llay YFC (k) 0 v Mold Alex 0

The rain eased, but the muddy pitch did little to aid the standard of the football, but the quality was of the highest standard.

Chances were created but the opening goal was to elude Llay in normal time.

Extra time followed with some fine football by both teams but with barely more than a minute on the clock the ball was won by Llay just inside their own half progress was made leading to a defence splitting pass with the ball being powerfully placed across the keeper into the bottom left hand corner..!!

Final Score Llay YFC (k) 1 v Mold Alex 0 AET