LD Team Trip to Harrogate - 2009

The Jersey Learning Disabilities football squad recently took part in the prestigious Harrogate IX Annual Disabilities Football Tournament which again attracted a record number of teams from all over the UK. Professionally coached teams from Middlesbrough FC and Portsmouth FC, who won both the Advanced and Intermediate Groups, were represented and a higher standard and more competitive attitude was evident.

The Jersey squad fielded three 5 a-side teams in the Novice and Lower Novice sections, and to ensure that they were competing against teams of a similar ability, each took part in two assessment games in the morning.

After a nervous performance in the assessment games the ‘A’ team started the afternoon tournament well against Darlington Gateway, playing some good one/two football. Jersey had the majority of the chances, but a breakaway against play enabled the Darlington striker to secure a 1-0 victory. Darlington went on to be the eventual group winners. Jersey’s second game was against Blythe, a late arrival to the tournament who had elected to be in the group. Jersey soon learnt that Blythe had incorrectly assessed themselves and sportingly Jersey reduced their team to three players and still came away 9-0 victors. It was fortunate that the team was fired up for the third game as this turned out to be a hard fought against Scotland West Special Olympics. Shane Carr was a constant threat down the left side and a good pass from Fabio Cerviera set up Shane for the only goal of the game. Their final game was another exciting match with good chances falling to both Shane Carr and Shane Crocker, however the Pontefract goalkeeper proved difficult to beat. Ian Le Maistre in the Jersey goal was equal to his opposing number and made a vital save towards the end of the game to earn a 0-0 result.

With two wins, one draw and one loss, Jersey ‘A’ finished 2nd in their group and the whole squad was delighted to see the team collect their silver medals in the closing ceremony. Mick Porter, the team coach, had a difficult choice to name his player of the tournament as all the players had excelled, however he awarded Brian Duffy the trophy for his defensive work and good distribution of the ball.