Courtesy: Gibraltar Chronicle

JUNIOR FOOTBALL - GFA/TGWU

‘May Day’ Five – a – Side

by JES

Five age Groups, 76 matches over two weekends in front of a packed Tercentenary Sports Hall confirmed what we all know – the youngsters can’t get enough football.

A look at the finals of five Groups are an indication of where the strengths of the respective ‘Big Clubs’ lay on the day.

Lions AC are enjoying success with their younger age group programme, while Lincoln come into the frame before the Manchester club enjoy success with the big boys. St. Joseph’s and Gibraltar Utd. were there at the end but Glacis had departed.

We witnessed plenty of sterling encounters and individual performances but, as usual, I would like to have seen more 4 on 4 football. ‘Futsal’ should be about space. movement and passing – it’s a training aid, not a substitute, for the outdoor game.


Under 7

St. Joseph’s Utd. 1 - Lions Athletic 0
It was a new experience for these ‘littlest ones’ on a reduced pitch and they went at it with a fervour roared on by their benches and spectators – it was lovely to watch.

Matthew McGowan squeezed home the only goal for ‘Saints’, who had their keeper Christian Coombes to thank for some fine saves.

‘Goalies were the order of the day throughout the tournament’.



Under 9

Lions 55 Orange 3 - Lions 55 White 2

The final score is the result of penalties following a 1-1 draw between these two same- club group of friends who both celebrated at the final whistle.

It started fast and furious end to end before Alan Wink gave Orange the lead with a header in the opening half (10 mins.) – after the break Christian Celecia equalised in the same manner. Jamie Moody, in the White goal saved his side pointblank, but Whites also missed in front before the whistle forced a penalty shoot-out which went to Orange 2-1.



Under 11

Lincoln Sort Barwill 2 - Gib. Utd. Form – a- Co White 0

Lincoln managed to attack ‘3-up’ most of the time and forced a great save out of the Gib. Utd. keeper, only for Jayron Vinet to pounce onto the rebound.

They made it 2-0 with a rocket shot from Jayce Consigliero.




Under 13

Lincoln Cotton Leisure 0 - Man. Utd. Garpon White 3

Lincoln were struck by Lython. This Man. Utd. lad Lython Marquez from a footballing pedigree ( Garcia family) is big for his age, powerful and lively in everything he attempts. But it was a fluke goal which gave Garpon the lead. Right from the start ‘defender’ Karl Baldachino (the runner) fired in a long range free kick which slipped through the keeper’s grasp. Then it turned into ‘how to stop Lython’. The keeper made amends saving pointblank at Lython’s feet, then a fierce free-kick was charged down (see pic.). After the interval, a smart one – two with Thomas Palao saw Marquez make no mistake. Lincoln then fought back and forced several half-chances before Marquez made it 3 just before the end.



Under 15

Manchester Utd. Red 3 - Manchester Utd. White 4

This ‘Devil’s delight’ brought the tournament to a spectacular conclusion.

The ‘Reds’ with just five on the bench dominated most of this keenly contested match. They had the ‘starman’ Charles Gaiviso (9) who was clever and controlled setting up Joe Heron for No.1, who also made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time.

Red’s ‘strolling’ were hit in the last 2 minutes. First Daryll Conroy reduced arrears – then a shot goalwards was back-heeled into the net by Eric Casciaro ‘lurking’ on the post. Even then, Gaiviso rose to flick his header onto the crossbar in the final second! A penalty shoot-out between friends suddenly became serious and it was the Reds who were found wanting!


The girls of Danza Academy then entertained before Mr. Albert Hewitt of the T.G. & W.U. presented the ‘May Day’ sponsorship cheque, increased this year to £700, to GFA Junior Chairman Leslie Asquez , re-instated now that the ‘dispute ‘ has been resolved. Then a succession of ‘footballing celebrities’- Albert, Sports Minister Edwin Reyes, Leslie, Adrian Ballestero (GFA) and Kyra Sene were called upon to make the presentations. – while the hard- working ever- present Junior Committee – Richard Manning, Ivan Olivera, Richard Lopez, Danny Catania, Steven Head, Andy Parody, among others were in the background after giving the youngsters what they wanted – two weekends of sporting action.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com