Fleetwood Town Community Trust Go Beyond team win the 13th Annual Lytham Football Tournament in dramatic style!
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The lads were excited for just their second tournament with Fleetwood, having won at Liverpool, this was the big one in Lytham. With teams from Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and all over England it was set to be a very high standard tournament.
The first game was a tough one, though Fleetwood dominated, but despite having most of the ball the oposition keeper was on fine form and the game ended nil nil. In the second game we showed our dominance but it was not enough and the game ended nil nil again. On to the third game and the same story, but this time the oposition scored and Fleetwood lost the game 1-0.
With just 2 games to go Fleetwood needed a miracle, the team needed four points. The first of which ended 2-0 to the opposition and just as we thought we were out, results went our way and we needed to win the final game.
Following an expressive team talk we lifted ourselves up and went out for one last push! Fleetwood made lots of chances but we just couldn’t find the net. With time ticking, knowing we needed to win, the lads never gave up, with just seconds to go we had the ball down the right and it found its way to the back post, Ishmael took a touch out of his feet and smashed the ball into the top corner, the final whistle went and scenes of joy took place. The lads fought hard and made it to the quarter final and spirits where up.
Quarter Final
With spirits lifted the players took to the field and dominated the game. Fleetwood had chance after chance and they weren’t about to throw their efforts away. With just a few minutes to go Kieran was in on goal and the defender only had one option, he brought him down just inside the area for a penalty. Up stepped Kieran and he rifled it into the roof of the net to send Fleetwood through to the Semis.
Semi Final
What an achievement it had been so far to make it to this stage after a slow start, but this team wasn’t going to end their cup dreams here. After an early save from Robbie in our goal the rest of the game was one way. Jordan got us of to a great start putting us 1-0 up. The lads kept the ball very well all through the game and then Bailee put Fleetwood 2-0 up to send us to the final.
FINAL
It had been a rollercoaster of a day, full of mixed emotions, but the lads had made it with just one more team standing in their way, the team that had already beat us 2-0 in the group stage. This time the players were full of confidence going in to the game. This was an end to end game with chances from both sides. The game could of gone either way, but the final would end nil nil and on to the dreaded penalty shootout.
Up stepped Kieran for the opening penalty and there was no doubt, 1-0 Fleetwood.
Next penalty for the oposition and he makes it 1-1.
Up steps Jordan and blasts it in for 2-1.
A crucial pen for the oposition, he steps up and smashed it bottom corner, but Robbie guesses right and tips it on to the post for a great save.
Andy stepped up for the next penalty and hits it top corner.
The pressure was on, this could be it! The player steps up and his penalty is saved again!
Fleetwood win the Cup.
What an unbelievable achievement. Against all odds the lads lifted the Cup.
Phil Bowker (Disability and inclusion coordinator) said:
“I am so proud of this group, whatever they have gone through in tough times they have dusted themselves off and have come out the other end fighting on and off the pitch, Kieran, Cally and Bailee have all started in the Junior group and progressed to adult football, which is great to see”
