Greenwards were crowned winners of the Margaret Cameron Tournament
Forres Area Soccer 7s hosted its first invitational tournament of the season last weekend and the event was hailed a success by all who took part.
The Margaret Cameron Tournament was attended by over 19 teams from across Moray – record entries since the contest began three years ago.
The event was organised by Soccer 7’s head coach and tournament and event organiser Kye Taylor.
He said: The tournament had a brilliant feel about it and everyone was buzzing. We have had some great feedback and we are delighted it was a success. I want to thank everyone who took part, not just the players themselves but the coaches and the parents who make the effort to encourage and support the teams. There was also great support from within Soccer 7s with the kitchen up and running including a BBQ and our own coaches ensuring that the pitches were set up and that the tournament ran smoothly.”
He added: “The Margaret Cameron Tournament is now in its third year and this year we attracted more teams than before – that in itself speaks volumes about how well the tournament is run and how much the children enjoy it. Next year we hope to make it even bigger and better. We also have other tournaments in the planning for this season.”
The plate was won by West End Primary School whilst Greenwards took home the cup.
Match reports
Group A
There were 11 goals in total with Greenwards scoring five of them and running away with the group on 10 points and Bishopmill 1 second on 8.
Group B
Applegrove after an opening defeat to St Gerardines went on to win all three of their other games including the local derby against Kinloss in which they won 2-0 claiming the bragging rights and eventually topping the group with 9 points second placed Elgin City Whites managing 5 points the same as Kinloss but going through via goal difference.
Group C
West End took home the plate in what was regarded as a “successful” tournament
Bishopmill 3 were too strong for the rest in this group sitting pretty at the top on 10 points with another second place being decided by one goal of a goal difference with Cawdor pipping West End City, City were also on the end of a 2–0 defeat to their partner team West End United.
Group D
This group had both FASS teams and Pilmuir in but the talk of the group was New Elgin 1 who stormed to first place scoring nine goals and only conceding one. Pilmuir had a tough time in the group failing to pick up any points but being the only ones to really test New Elgin 1 can hold their heads up high. The big derby between the two FASS sides didn’t live up to expectation and finished 0-0 leaving both teams tied on points and goal difference, which led to a play off to decide who went through to the main competition, the game went to penalties and FASS B won.
Cup Ties
On to the cup ties, the plate competition saw FASS A come to life reaching the final after taking care of West End Utd, Auldearn Utd and a strong St Gerardines.
The other finalists West End City although were drawn straight into the quarters had to get passed Kinloss and a very competitive Elgin City Blacks. The final was a well contested affair with both teams having their chances but failing to find the net and the match came to penalties after extra time, West End came out the victors but the talk of the shoot out was Robbie Grobellar Malone who made no fewer than three world class penalty saves, two from the top bin and one right in the corner in his first time playing in the big goals!
In the main competition Greenwards scraped past FASS B 1-0 and beat Applegrove on penalties to reach the final. Their opponents New Elgin had to overcome Elgin City Whites and Bishopmill to get there. How there were no goals in this final is unknown as there was chance after chance yet the game still ended with a penalty shoot out with Greenwards, last year’s plate winners going on to lift the main trophy.