On Saturday 14th July we had our annual 5aside tournament at Lancaster University with 8 teams taking place in a round robin format. It was a hot day and the guys played in a great spirit throughout the day with a lot of competitive match ups.
After 4 rounds of matches we had a break and Oliver Jackson from near Penrith shared a message with us all about the 2 thieves who were on the crosses either side of Jesus. One of the thieves mocked Jesus but the other thief recognised who Jesus was and that he needed Jesus’ forgiveness and help. Oliver talked about how so many only talk of God and pray when it suits them, but that we need to respond to Jesus like the second thief.
The top four teams after the round robin played out in semi finals, with Leominster playing Chipping and Quernmore playing Crown Lane.
Leominster had finished top after the group stage and were playing a Chipping side that had started the day strongly, winning their first 4 games, but starting to loose form and just getting into the semis in 4th place. It was the lads from Leominster who were well organised and took the game comfortably from Chipping to book their place in the final running out 5 – 2 winners. In the other semi final Crown Lane, who had lost their first 2 games of the day, but really come together, were up against a youthful Quernmore team who unfortunately ran out of steam in what was a game too far, loosing 7 – 0.
In the first round of games in the morning Leominster had beaten Crown Lane 2 – 0, but Crown Lane were looking a different team now. Leominster took an early lead and were playing very impressive football, keeping an attacking Crown Lane side out and as the game went on, Crown Lane started to push forward more and more. This paid off and Crown Lane scored 2 quick goals and had about 3 minutes to hold on for the win. Just as time was about to come to an end Leominster broke forward down the wing and Shaun managed to break through a couple of tackles and play a ball across the area for a simple equaliser, to take the game to penalties. Leominster went on to win the shootout 4 – 1 with some extremely composed penalties.
Well done to Leominster who were only the second team to win the all day tournament with only 5 players! Well done!!
