How We Spent Our Summer Vacation

Players Pictured: Top Row L-R: Woodhouse, Maltby, Thorpey, Chopper, Monty, Spud, Murphy,Battey, Ziega, Skipper. Bottom Row L-R:Griff, Jammer, Patrick, Parker,Taggart, Jarrard,Rudy, and Reg.

Southwest Soccer Club’s Boys U14 white team coached by Pete Gregory recently had the opportunity to travel to Northeast England to compete against junior academy teams associated with well known clubs Middlesbrough FC and Sunderland FC to name a few.

This experience would test the makeup of the American youth as they would have to quickly acclimate themselves towards the more physical play of the British teams on the pitch. After a couple of friendly matches with Redcar Town FC, and Middlesbrough FC, the boys entered the Seaton Carew International tournament ready to demonstrate their skills to an eager audience. To the surprise of the English clubs the SWSC boys displayed an impressive passing game along with physical determination during their matches. Sweeping their bracket, and a victory in the semi’s against TIBS FC, the boys would face the hometown favorites of Seaton Carew in the finals. The final match proved to be everything one would expect in a championship game with two skilled and determined teams facing off. It was apparent throughout the match that the team that scored first would hold the advantage. Not until nearly 40 minutes of hard fought football did SWSC score the first and only goal of the match. In the end the SWSC team would defeat the lads from Seaton Carew and loft the Seaton Carew cup over their heads in jubilant celebration.

Keegan Smith was named “Man of the Match” for the Seaton Carew tournament by the coaches and officiating crew. Many of the coaches, players, and spectators commented on the exceptional level of play and the good sporting behavior of the SWSC players both on and off the pitch. The team represented Southwest Soccer Club with a level of distinction that earned a well deserved reputation for excellence during their England Trip.