The final weekend of the New Tupton Ivanhoe Summer Festival of Football saw the U14s, U15s and U16s take to the pitch to see who would win the coveted prizes.
Saturday 2nd July – Under 14s
First up on Saturday was the U14s. New Tupton Ivanhoe F.C. started well beating Blackwell 1-0 in their first game.
With three games to go and two teams the club had recently beat it looked hopeful for the team to progress for the first time. In the second game against Hasland, Ivanhoe’s took the lead and were comfortably in control of the game.
Until an unbeatable shot flew past the keeper, after the team failed to close the ball down in midfield, to level the score.
Hasland then looked the better team and won the game 2-1 after an innocuous shot spun unexpectedly off the pitch and deceived the keeper to drop into the net.
In the third game Tupton started slowly and conceded two early goals to the pacey Hemel winger. Despite working hard the team could not find a way back.
Ivanhoes went into the final game with an opportunity to progress, all they had to do was win!
It was a close game against Matlock that ebbed and flowed. Tupton were creating chances early in the game, but not scoring and then the Tupton keeper pulling off important saves at the other end.
This was always going to be a one goal game and as Tupton pushed on Matlock caught them on the break and slipped the ball past the oncoming goalkeeper to win the game and progress to the quarter finals.
Elite Utd won the U14’s tournament.
Saturday 2nd July – U15s
Over the final weekend we had a few injuries that required medical attention. These ranged from broken collar bones to dislocated knees and from a broken wrist to a major head injury. The volunteers and medical staff dealt with these effectively and compassionately and all the players are recovering from their injuries.
Saturday afternoon we moved to the U15’s tournament. Following a delay, due to one of those injuries, a late evening final took place with Spondon being crowned champions.
Sunday 3rd July – U16s
The final competition took place on Sunday with the U16s lacing their boots.
New Tupton Ivanhoe F.C. took part in a competitive group on pitch one. The players gave it their all but could not find a way past their opposition this time round.
Wheatley Wanderers were crowned winners after comfortably progressing through the tournament .
This ended a brilliant three weekends of grassroots football. The festival will return in 2023 and New Tupton Ivanhoe F.C. look forward to welcoming all the teams and spectators to the village again.
