SKLP’s ninth five-a-side soccer tournament saw a few very noticeable changes, the first of which being the divide of the two age group competitions into two independent days. Having suffered from its own success in the past, this year the tournament had to be played over two consecutive weekends to reduce the logistical nightmare faced by the organisers. The matches for the under-16’s and over-16 were played n the 3rd and 10th of July respectively.

Having seen how the heat was depleting the players in this year’s World Cup in the U.S. it was going to be interesting to see how the under-16’s would survive the same agony of scorching temperatures expected during their matches. How admirably they coped on what proved to be one of the hottest days of the year, a day when some folk got sunburnt just spectating.
Players performed stoically in the appalling heat and the quality of football, as usual, was good and entertaining. The first few matches however, lacked the usual gung-ho attitude often seen early on in previous competitions. The atmosphere changed when HKH blazed past Neasden 5-0, only to be punished and demoted to a 0-1 loss for using an over-aged player. Count yourselves lucky guys, you could have been disqualified!

Fortunately, that sort of charlatan behaviour usually only attributed to the likes of a certain Diego Maradonna proved to change the attitudes of the respectable teams in the following matches in so much as it provided more goals and excitement without the need for cheating. Legion 7 and Bendev ‘A’ qualified for the semi’s comfortably scoring 11 and 9 goals respectively in their first round matches. Last years winners Dahisara however, found it somewhat more difficult in the initial stages but still managed to make the semi’s together with Muktajivan All Stars.

The second major difference in this years tournament was one that obviously raised mixed feelings but unfortunately was uncontrollable. Sadly due to unforeseen events the semi-finals and finals had to be played on the same day. This evidently meant that the players drained though they were had to find a sixth gear and play to the end. Dahisara managed to beat Legion 7 by only a single goal in a closely fought battle but the real excitement was yet to follow in the other semi-final between Bendev ‘A’ and Muktajivan. Both sides having worked tenaciously throughout still failed to hit the back of the net at the end of normal time. Extra time also resulted in deadlock and the game had to go to penalties. Unjust as it may be a penalty shoot out was the only way to produce a result. Although being the subject of many a discussion, penalties always guarantee to thrill the crowds and thrill they did. Tragically one side has to emerge as losers, on this day it was to be Bendev ’A’.

The final hence, was contested between Dahisara and Muktajivan. Astonishingly Dahisara somehow managed to dig deep into their energy reserves to score an early goal and demonstrate some exhilarating football. Unsurprisingly they held the game tightly to see themselves through to the final whistle and earn the title of champions of 94.
A week later and it all started again, this time the seniors displayed their durability to the heat. Over twenty teams put their footballing prowess on show to gain the much desired SKLP title.

The senior teams clearly displayed their experience and prudence; playing their games at much slower pace. This wise attitude obviously produced slightly fewer goals but in no way affected the quality of football. Last years champions Kingsbury (KBM) decided to wait a few games before they produced the goal riots they are customarily analogous to. The contingent form North of the Watford Gap also showed they are no pushovers. Bolton’s ‘A’ team played some tough football to see themselves to the knockout stages. The other regular giants Bendev and Pace Star played much more tightly throughout the primary round but ensured places in the quarter-finals.

The spectators this year surprisingly seemed slightly fewer in number. This was later found to be due to other events or engagements concurrently running for the members of Baladia. It is almost expected of Baladia to have at least 50 supporters every year. Consequently it is probable as to why the Baladia teams lacked the same passion as in previous years and failed to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The excitement in the crowds really got to fever the pitch when the first quarter final had to go to penalties. This match between Bolton ‘A’ and Ace CPE attracted so much attention that another quarter final match just about to start had to be delayed. Bolton ‘A’ finally emerged as victors from this cruel and wretched means of conclusion .Bendev also had to resolve their quarter-final against Ace Pine with penalties, winning 3-0.

The semi-final stages saw Bendev meet new boys M&S and Kingsbury meet Bolton ’A’. Having played consistently throughout new team M&S now had to look forward to former champions Bendev. The match was fought hard without yielding any result at full time. The last few minutes of extra time however, saw what was arguably the best piece of individual skill and goal scoring magic that has been seen in the competition since it’s birth. The team on the receiving end of this mesmerising run was Bendev. The other semi pulled no surprises as Kingsbury comfortably beat Bolton ‘A’ 1-0.

The last change to this years competition came in the final, a memorable one it was too. As all finals should be it produced some spectacular football and had the crowds entranced. The first half saw Kingsbury’s keeper make a fumble and allow the ball to bobble into the net. The legacies of Packy Bonner and Gianluca Pagliuca no doubt live. From then on Kingsbury persistently thrashed at the M&S goal only for them to be continuously denied. A brave performance from the M&S keeper eventually saw them to the final whistle and defeat the current champions Kingsbury. This was the first time a new team had gone all the way to win the final and all credit is due to them.

Once again I would like to give great thanks and credit to the organisers and to the volunteers who helped paint the pitches early on a Sunday morning. A special thanks is however, due to Bendev Construction Ltd, Beetacomm Ltd and Laxmanbhai Construction Ltd for helping to fund the football pitches for the two days and fourways supplies for providing the goals.
Congratulations are also deserved for the Kingsbury, Bendev and Baladia football teams who decided to play their part in aid of the Indian Earthquake Relief last year. They raised over one thousand and three hundred pounds in the way they know best, playing football. The money raised was donated to the Indian Red Cross and a centre looking after children whom had become orphaned as a result of the devastating earthquake. Sponsorships for the pitch on the day came from Bendev Construction and Beetacomms and trophies were donated by Shivji Pindoria of Dahisara.

Ashwin Vekaria (Mirzapur)

For more information you can email us to info@sklpcfootball.com.