Saturday 23rd May saw 84 teams over 4 different age groups flock from across Teesside to compete in the 3rd Annual Riverside Festival. Over 700 children had their dreams come true to play on the hallowed turfs of the Riverside Stadium.
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UNDER 7’S
The day got off to a bang as the Under 7’s took the stage. Boro Rangers Reds and Marton FC both got off to flyers in their respective groups winning the opening games of the day 3-0. In fact Boro Rangers Reds qualified for the semi finals winning all five games without conceding a goal scoring 15 on the way. Whilst Marton finished joint top of Group B alongside Teesside Athletic 1 who finished in 2nd place on goal difference. Redcar Town were the other team to qualify from group A just edging out WWE Superstars.
Onto the Semi finals and both games were tight affairs with both teams missing goal scoring chances; it was Marton FC and Teesside 1 who progressed.
Both teams gave it their all in the final and when a fabulous free kick from the Marton skipper opened the scoring it set the team on the way to be comfortable 3-0 winners.
UNDER 8’S
Moving onto the Under 8’s and the action never stoped, Leven Blues and Marton fought tooth and nail in Group A and in the end this game was the decider for group winners with Leven coming out on top with a 1-0 win. Leven went the whole group stages without conceding a goal whilst unlucky Marton finished in 2nd place even though they bagged an impressive 11 goals.
Plain Farm Blues were way out in the lead in group B, winning every game scoring 10 goals and keeping 5 clean sheets. Their nearest challengers Teesside Athletic Greens and Nunthorpe both ended on 8 points in an otherwise tightly contested group.
The two top teams battling out for top spot in group C were Teesside Athletic Blacks and Billingham Rangers A, both teams showing true grit and determination to fend off the rest of the competition. But it was the head to head game which mattered and Teesside Blasted their way through to the final being 2-0 winners.
Group D in the under 8’s section was probably the most interesting group of the day with all teams putting up a great fight. It was turning out to be a three horse race with Redcar, Nunthorpe and Richmond all doing their bit to get over the finishing line. The football on display was terrific and unlucky Nunthorpe who failed to make their chances count in the final game against Humbledon missed out to group winners Redcar Town who were worthy winners of a spot in the Semi Finals.
Leven Blues continued their terrific league form by beating Teesside 2-0 in the 1st semi final whilst Plain Farm Blues who were representing Sunderland beat Redcar Town 1-0 in a very close fought game.
This meant both teams going into the final had never conceded a goal all day. Unfortunately for one team, the statistic had to end and in the last minute a long punt down field by Plains Farm Blues Goalkeeper was met by a glancing header from the striker to send the players into raptures with the game finishing 1-0 to Plains Farm Blues.
UNDER 9’S
Onto the Under 9’s and in Group A there were only two points separating the top 4 teams which made for an entertaining group. Nunthorpe West End clinched it with 10 points closely followed by Stokesly FC, South Park Rangers and Normanby United.
Marton FC United finished in top spot in Group B with 13 points going unbeaten with their 5 games played, Nunthorpe East End fought to the very last to try and take top spot away from Marton but they couldn’t manage it and Marton stormed through.
Teesside Tigers won a tightly contested group finishing on 12 points just ahead of Belle Vue Reds. In the end it came down to the head to head game in which Teesside Tigers came out on top winning the game 1-0.
In group D Redcar Bolts stormed to the top of the table and stayed there following some impressive displays. They ended up winning the group by a staggering 6 points scoring 13 goals in the process; this was the highest amount of goals scored in the whole of the Under 9’s section.
The Semi Finals were both evenly contested and in the end that little bit of extra quality saw Teesside squeeze past Nunthorpe West End although Redcar Bolts had to do it the hard way winning on penalty’s after a 1-1 draw.
The Under 9’s final showed two teams with bags of talent, Teesside took an early lead when Matty Seaman flicked the ball over an opponents head, turned away from his marker and sent an exquisite half volley into the bottom corner leaving their goalkeeper with no chance.
At the other end Redcar’s Tyrone O’Neill was causing allsorts of problems for the Teesside defence and went close on several occasions but with virtually with the last kick of the game the striker produced a moment of genius when he held off a challenge with his back to goal back heeled the ball into the bottom corner to send the tie into penalties. It was Redcar Bolts lucky day as they won 1-0.
UNDER 10’S
Group A was a two horse race with Nunthorpe East End and Redcar 1 leading the way. Both teams were equally impressive in front of goal scoring 19 goals between them. Both teams played fantastic football and equally deserving to go through, but it was Nunthorpe East End who booked their place in the Semi Finals winning all 5 games.
Redcar Rovers escaped on a runaway train in Group B searing away from the other teams they won all 5 games scoring 15 goals conceding just the one recording the greatest goal difference in the entire tournament. They finished an overwhelming 8 points in front of Teesside Athletic and Nunthorpe South End who finished 2nd & 3rd with 7 points.
In Group C much fancied favourites VFM Scooters didn’t have it all their own way as Normanby Boys give it everything they had to end on the same points which meant that the team with the superior goal difference qualified. Sadly for Normanby Boys they just missed out and what was even more disappointing for them was that they never conceding a goal all competition.
Onto the group D and there was a marvellous achievement for Marton FC United to get to the semi finals because they were playing a year above themselves. They finished the group stages with 4 wins and a draw to book their place in the semi finals. Nunthorpe North End was mightily close to go through but missed out in the end.
So with a place in the final very much up for grabs all four teams give it their all for a place in the final of the Riverside Festival. Both Semi Finals were very close with VFM Scooters winning their Semi Final 1-0 and Redcar Rovers also progressing after a 3-0 win.
The last final of the day saw the two fancied favourites for the tournament, both teams showed their quality in the final but neither team could make their chances pay, especially Redcar Rovers who hit the post twice. This meant the game finished 0-0 so it went down to the lottery of penalties and it was VFM Scooters day winning the shoot out 1-0.
U7’S
Semi Finals
Boro Rangers Reds 0-1 Teesside 1
Marton FC 1-0 Redcar Town
Final
Marton FC 3-0 Teesside 1
U8’S
Semi Finals
Leven Blues 2-0 Teesside Athletic Blues 0
Plain Farm Blues 1-0 Redcar Town
Final
Leven Blues 0-1 Plain Farm Blues
U9’S
Semi Finals
Nunthorpe West End 0-1 Teesside Tigers
Marton FC United 1-1 Redcar Bolts
Final
Redcar Bolts 1-1 Teesside Tigers
Redcar Bolts win on Penalty’s
U10’S
Semi Finals
Nunthorpe East End v VFM Scooters 1-0
Redcar Rovers v Marton FC United 3-0
Final
VFM Scooters 0-0 Redcar Rovers
VFM Scooters win on penalties’
