16 teams entered in total from all around the Local area and North West with 7 group games played to qualify for the knockout stages.
Both teams started tentatively as we adjusted to Tournament football which is different to our league game format. The teams were 6 v 6 on smaller grass pitches with just 12 minute games, these can be fast & furious. However it was important that everyone in the squad got the opportunity to adapt to playing on grass before the big Cup Final next week.

The Lasers team were first into the quarter finals, followed by the Aces team with both teams eventually finding their feet and showing their true qualities. In the 7 group games played each team had only conceded 3 goals which showed how much we have improved defensively this season whilst both teams scored some fantastic goals.

Then came the draw for the Quarter final which was based on points and goal difference & the inevitable then happen with the Lasers meeting the Aces for a place in the last four.

From a coaches point of view I was 'gutted' but this also carried the silver lining of knowing we had a team into the Semi - Final . The game itself was an absolute credit to Dynamos and at first did not go the way that most probably expected. Reece latched onto to a great through ball and crashed the Lasers into the lead, the impressive Eddy then showed all his quality down the left to finish with a great strike to make it 2 nil !! . With both sets of parents willing the teams on The Aces were then stirred into action & responded like all good teams and managed to drag themselves back into the game. Eventually the Aces edged into a 4-2 lead with Gio, Troy & Noah finding the net.
With the clock then ticking Gad hit a spectacular goal from distance to reduce the lead and I genuinely thought penalties was on the cards before the relieved Aces who knew they had been in one hell of a dog fight eventually sealed the game 5-3.

It was then so pleasing to see both teams shake hands as one consoled the other, as everyone else got their breath back after 12 mins of pulsating excitement in a game that had everything.

The Aces team then moved into the Semi Final to face the much fancied home Avros team, I think the adrenalin was still flowing from the previous game as the Aces then turned on the power and breezed into the final with their best performance of the day winning 5-1 with some devastating finishing to then set up a final with Huyton Spartak from Liverpool.

The Final itself was a close affair against a good outfit from Liverpool , and we never quiet reached the heights of the Semi final, we were slightly unfortunate to concede an early goal against a strong defensive side who clearly liked to play on the counter attack , as we pushed for the equaliser we were caught on the break and found ourselves 2 nil down. Noah then hit the bar before reducing the lead with the half time score 2-1 .
In the second half we pushed for the goal but just failed to find that all important equaliser which would have turned the game for us, but like I've said with only short games it's always difficult chasing the game. We eventually lost out 3-1 but can hold our heads high and will have learned so much from this game.

The team on collecting their runners up trophies understandably couldn't hide their disappointment, but we now have the opportunity to put this behind us by winning the JFC Cup final this next weekend.

A massive thank you to all parents & players today who showed great support to both teams today who did themselves and Dynamos proud.