Ulleskelf Tournament Runner's up U9's 10th May 2008

U8s at Garforth Tournament (14th June)

Tadcaster Albion Under 8s brought their season to a close with a trip to the Garforth tournament. Slightly short on numbers the management were forced into some last minute recruitments and many thanks go to Charles and Kian for filling in at short notice.

The tournament was split into a Champions League (involving 'A' teams) and a UEFA Cup (involving 'B' teams) with the aim of providing competitive and balanced matches throughout.

Tadcaster's 'B' team (Saul, George, Justin, Megan, Harry, Edan and Kian) came through their 3 league matches with 1 win and 2 losses - the highlight of which was Harry's hat trick in their second game.

First up were Garforth who proved too strong this time and ran out comfortable 4-0 winners. Tadcaster bounced back though with a great 3-1 win against Churwell. The final match saw Taddy up against Kippax and despite the 2-1 defeat all of the players can be proud of their effort.
A tough semi-final against the team that had just beaten them was just a bit too much to ask as Tadcaster made their exit.

A great team performance from everybody.

The 'A' team (Alfie, Charlie, Louis, Ethan, James K, James O and Charles) came through their league matches with 2 losses and 1 draw. The results don't tell the full tale of 3 excellent performances though. Drawn against Garforth in the first game they fought back from 2-0 down to level the scores (including a JK goal from inside his own half!) only to concede the winner in the last minute. It was a miracle that the second game finished goal less - mainly thanks to an amazing performance from the Churwell 'keeper. The final game was the only disappointing performance. Tadcaster had the game won at 1-0 with about 5 minutes left, however the team lost its discipline resulting in Charlie and Alfie being completely exposed at the back as Kippax scored 3 quick goals for a convincing win.


Tadcaster had their revenge in the semi-final however with a much more solid performance - Louis' stunning strike sending them on their way to a 2-1 win and another final against Garforth.
Tadcaster's best chance of winning the final was to defend like mad and try to prevent Garforth from getting an early goal. That's easier said than done though against the most talented side we've played all season. Two early goals from Garforth meant that the result was never in doubt. Taddy kept battling though and managed to score a consolation goal as they went down 5-1.

Despite the results this was the best overall performance of the Tournament Season.

Under 10's A Team - Runners Up at Garforth Tournament.

Tadcaster Albion Under 10's A Team have had their most successful 'tournament season' ever. In the 3 Tournaments entered (Tad, Garforth and Ulleskelf) they have either won the competition or been runners-up on each occasion. Today (15th June 2008) they came in as runners-up of Garforth Villa's 'UEFA' themed competition. We can't say that the play was particularly inspired - in fact some of the players were showing distinct signs of being 'footballed out' - however, there was a moment of pathos when Tadcaster A were drawn against Tadcaster B in the semi-finals. This game illustrated the true benefits of the Mini-Soccer system where league games of 'A vs A' and 'B vs B' are carried out thereby giving everyone an equal chance to shine. The A Team showed great sportsmanship in the 15 minutes of play and were gracious in their 6-0 victory over their friends.

This was the Under 10's A & B Team's last ever appearance. Starting in September (and in a few 'friendlies' before) we will have 2 teams playing 11-a-side in the 2008-2009 season. These teams will be called 'Tadcaster Albion JFC' and 'Tadcaster Albion Blues' and will play in the Ryedale League's 'Championship' and '2nd' Divisions respectively. 'Tadcaster Albion JFC' will be coached and managed by Mick Clow and Nick Brown. 'Tadcaster Albion Blues' will be coached and managed by Nicholas Devine and Mikey Biscombe. The teams will be playing different opponents, on different dates, at different venues. Both teams will also be entered for the 'Ryedale League Cup' in addition to their respective league competitions, with up to 30 matches being played (excluding local tournaments!) Both teams will have F.A. Affiliation with the West Riding County F.A. and continue their overall association under the umbrella of 'Tadcaster Albion JFC' which ranges from U7's to U18's.

Each player will be receiving a letter this week, from the acting Secretary of Tadcaster Albion JFC which will give them the choice of which team to register with based on their own estimation of their football abilities. No undue influence will be put on any player to chose one team over the other, in order to make the division of the 2 teams as open, honest and transparent as it can be. Everyone who responds will be able to continue their football career with Tadcaster Albion at whatever level they themselves choose. Full contact details and instructions for any questions that may arise will be attached. Thanks to all of the parents (and grandparents) who have helped out in 2007 - 2008. Check back soon to see full coverage of The A Team's victory at Ulleskelf (including video!)

Tad Albion JFC dominate Wetherby Distict Cub and Scout Tournament!

Players from Tadcaster Albion JFC literally had a 'field day' at Wetherby today, where they dominated the Competition. Players including Saul Guilford, Paul Hick, Owen Hick, Josh Jackson, Harry Jackson, Jack Burton, James Oliver, Cavan Conway and Joel Brown were spread amongst the competing teams even (at one point) playing each other. The scout team featuring Paul Hick & Josh Jackson were unfortunately knocked out in the quarter-final. The 'Tadcaster B' team (as they were called) featuring Saul Guilford, Harry 'Rooney' Jackson, Jack Burton, James Oliver and Owen Hick were beaten by 'Tad A' in the semis (2-1). This game featured a stunning strike from Cavan Conway which was straight out of 'Christiano Ronaldo's Big Book of Impossible Goals'.

The 'Tadcaster A' Team really gelled after an inauspicious start with some fantastic 'give and go' play from Joel, Cavan and potential new Tadcaster Albion U11 signing Matthew Orr. Everyone did exactly as the manager asked and concentrated on their own area of play (which was a very wide area for our attacking midfielders!). The defence was firm and the Goalkeeper (another potential new signing for Tad - Josh McCarthy) was absolutely outstanding. We even had a bit of light relief when Joel Brown was cautioned for dissent.....;

'Tadcaster A' reached the final playing a total of 6 games in the blistering heat. Both halves and extra time ended in deadlock (their opponents were '1st Wetherby Lions') with the final result being decided on penalties. Joel bravely stepped up to take the first penalty which was so coolly executed that the ambient temperature of the whole postcode dropped a degree...; The running score flipped and flipped again with Tad having the advantage and then Wetherby. Cavan proved that watching Man Utd is not an entirely wasted exercise, dummied the keeper and struck it so hard past the keeper's head that his left ear needed an ice-pack.

It was all down to the last strike from Tadcaster goalie Josh McCarthy (who had saved 2 out or the 5 penalties taken against him) - Josh proved he was just as adept at scoring penalties as saving them and 'Tadcaster A' won the Tournament. Thanks to Tad Parents Contingent (including Shelly, Stu, Alan, Denise, Graham, Debs, Cathy J, Frank, Jez, Mandy and Sharon -sorry if I've missed anyone) who turned out to lend their support. Great Day - Great Win!

Under 10's News - 3rd June 2008

Training & Garforth Tournament
Friday Training at Riverside will be taking place at 6:00pm this coming Friday 6th and following Friday 13th, prior to our final competitive appearance (for 2008) at the Garforth/Swillington Tournament on Sunday 15th June. For info - we need to be at Swillington Miners Welfare Club for 9:30am on Sunday 15th June.

Press & Ulleskelf A-Team Victory
For anyone who didn't see it, we had a two page spread in Saturday's York Press (in tandem with the report in the Wetherby News, provided to both papers by Sharon). I'll be scanning this report and putting it on the blog along with pictures and details of the U10's A-Team triumph at Ulleskelf.

New Season - 2 Teams
It will soon be time for me to register the teams for the 2008-09 season for agegroups of Under 7's up to Under 16's.
Mick is keen to use the nucleus of the current A & B Teams to form a strong U11 Team for next season and Nick Devine is actively recruiting another team for this agegroup to run alongside (though obviously dates & venues will differ for the 2 teams matches).

Nick Devine has already been able to secure the services of some star signings from Wistow and would welcome any introductions to eligible players that you may know of. We will be co-ordinating a major recruitment offensive in the next few weeks, but in the meantime if you are aware of anyone that may be interested, they can contact Nick Devine direct on: 01937 832331 or 07950 800212 or email Devinenicholas@aol.com

Tadcaster Albion Tournament 2008
The Tadcaster Albion Junior Football Tournament at Riverside on 17th & 18th May 2008 made a profit of £4,726 - which is £466 UP on last year! - Many thanks to the people who gave their time and effort - we can always use more help with this function - the pre-planning, the actual weekend and the workload afterwards are massively time consuming for the 10 or 12 people who take the burden of the responsibility (all of which is done voluntarily, so that costs for parents are kept to a minimum for training, kits, insurance etc throughout the season).

Collection of Kits
I'll be collecting in all of the Under 10's kits after the Garforth/Swillington Tournament - if you don't want to change on the day of the tournament could you please drop the washed kit in to me at Beech House, 49 Garnet Lane, Tadcaster, LS24 9LD. http://www.multimap.com/maps/?hloc=GBLS24%209LD We'll be topping up identical kits for the 'new' under 9's,10's and 11's, so it is imperative that we have these back in good time so that we can co-ordinate the sizing and squad numbers for the new kits. You don't want me 'cold calling' you like Gordon Brown do you?
Thanks in advance

Nick Brown
Tadcaster Albion JFC Treasurer/Acting Secretary