With early summer temperatures soaring and an effulgent sun beating down for much of last weekend, most local footballers would have been forgiven for being found lounging in the garden with a cool beverage whilst tending a barbeque filled with sizzling burgers. However, the weekend was certainly not without its footballing action as hundred of young players descended on RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire for the Pilgrim Cup, nine of which were flying the flag for AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
The AFC R&D team, coached by Academy Coach Nick Cook, are ex-R&DFC Centre of Excellence players who stayed together following the centre’s closure and are hoping to compete in the Junior Premier League next year, in the Under 11s East Division.
Playing in the Under 10s tournament, the lads were placed in a tough group but performed well despite the heat and qualified for the semi-final.
Coach Nick told afcdiamonds.com:
We finished top of our Group having : Played 5 , Won 3 , Drawn 1 and Lost 1.
Having qualified for the Semi Final , we played Group A Runners Up Lincoln City A, which we drew 0-0.
Unfortunately we lost on penalties.
The eventual winners were Doncaster Rovers (B) who beat us in the Group Stage.
This was a great effort, on a hot day, by all the lads.
The young Diamonds will be looking to add new players to their ranks before the start of the 2012/13 season as well as a Level 2 qualified coach to assist with training. Interested coaches and parents of interested players should email secretary@afcdiamonds.com for further details – trial dates will be announced shortly. Alternatively, parents of U11s interested in joining one of our thriving community teams which compete in the Weetabix League should email david.cockings@southrushdenjfc.org.uk.
Date : Sunday May 27th
Competiton : Pilgrim Cup (held by Boston Utd)
Venue : RAF Cranwell, Sleaford, Lincolnshire
Age Group : U10’s
Team Name : AFC Rushden & Diamonds
Format : 6 v 6
Matches : 12 Minutes (rolling Subs)
Group results:
Semi Final:
