A fine weekend for AFC Rushden & Diamonds Academy (the Under 16s already having been crowned NERF Junior Premier League National Champions) continued with further celebrations following success for both the Under 12s and Under 13s at the AFC Dunstable Tournament.
This Annual Tournament has historically proven to be a happy hunting ground for AFC Rushden & Diamonds Academy – 2019 proving to be no different.
Under 12s Academy won the Tournament with an almost faultless path to the Final – playing 6 games with a record of 5 wins and 1 defeat. The Final was a very close encounter with AFC Rushden & Diamonds securing a 2-1 victory with almost the last kick of the game.
Under 13s Academy were also successful with a fine record – playing 6 games en-route to the Final (Winning 4, Drawing 1 and Losing just 1 game – in the process Scoring 11 Goals and conceding only 6). The Final was a very tense affair with AFC Rushden & Diamonds winning a thrilling Sudden Death Penalty Shoot-Out (8-7).
Andy Batty (Under 13s Head Coach) commented – ‘I was lucky enough to be involved with both the Under 12s (on Saturday) and assisting Matt Vernon with the Under 13s (on Sunday) and it was great to see both sides cap off excellent seasons with a trophy. Both squads were a real credit to the club throughout.’
Under 10s Pre-Academy were very unfortunate not to complete a Hat-Trick of Tournament Wins – losing a very tense Age Group Final on Penalties.
Ryan Farmer (Academy Director) added – ‘The AFC Dunstable Tournament is always an extremely well organized Tournament with High Quality opposition throughout, so for our Academy teams to return with two wins and a very close Runners-Up situation is testament to the Quality of both our Players and Coaches. The 2018 / 2019 Season has been another successful one for the Academy – and to close it off with 3 Trophies in one weekend is just reward for all of the hard work and commitment from all of our Players, Parents and Coaches’.
