Five teams were entered into the group stages, with the top two qualifying for the final. Om warriors ‘A’ won three of their matches and Om warriors ‘B’ won two of their matches. These two were the teams on form at the round robin stage, as both remained unbeaten and qualified for the finals. The other three teams finishing third, fourth and fifth were BYC Abacus, KKYW and Swamibapa respectively. The final had a great deal of excitement for both sets of players as 7 goals were scored during the match. Unfortunately there had to be a winner as Om warriors ‘A’ beat their ‘B’ team 5-2 to be crowned as the first ever under 11 winners.

Parents and players both provided positive feedback for this new category and next year we hope to have even more teams taking part. The U11s provides an ideal stepping stone to the U16s category.

Nine teams entered this year’s Boys U16s category; they were split up into two groups with the top two qualifying for the semi finals.

Kingsbury Construction ‘A’ and BYC Haymills ‘A’ both finished unbeaten on ten points, having won three and drawing one match, this wrapped up Group A. Group B saw Bendev brush aside the other three teams, as they won all three matches and scored an impressive fifteen goals en route to semi-final qualification. The other team to follow Bendev through from the group stage was Orbis.

The first semi-final was contested by Kingsbury Construction ‘A’ and Orbis. Both teams seemed nervous, neither wanting to surrender their place in the finals. Kingsbury Construction ‘A’ ended up 2-1 winners and booked their place in the final. The second semi-final between Bendev and BYC Haymills ‘A’ also was a close affair with both teams going close. It was BYC Haymills ‘A’ that got the vital goal that sealed their place in the final.

The finalists Kingsbury Construction ‘A’ and BYC Haymills ‘A’ had already met in the group stages. This game resulted in a goal less draw. There was nothing to set them apart from each other. Both sides had their fair share of chances, however the keepers made excellent saves to keep the scores level. The dead lock was eventually broken when a well worked move by BYC Haymills ‘A’. A second goal secured victory as ‘BYC Haymills A’ were crowned 2009 under 16’s winners.

A special mention for BYC Haymills ‘A’s goalkeeper Sudarshan, who played 6 matches through the tournament without conceding a goal. He is defiantly one to watch out for in the future.

The reigning champions Kenford Builders kicked off their defence of the title in group A and went through to the next round along with Bendev ‘A’. Kenford Builders finished top after having a slightly better goal difference than Bendev ‘A’. Group B saw a repeat of last year group match where BYC Laxcon ‘A’ up against BYC Laxcon ‘C’. However unlike last year’s the game, it was a less tense game and BYC Laxcon ‘A’ ran out 2-0 winners. The final group game was a play off scenario where the winning team out of BYC Laxcon ‘C’ and Harlesden FC would go through. Harlesden FC were 1-0 winners and joined BYC Laxcon ‘A’ in the next round. Joining them from Group C were winners Fotdi United and runners up Haryom. Also through to the knock out stages were Kings and Scorpions FC, who finished first and second respectively in Group D. Dragons ran through easy winners in Group E after winning all three matches. The runner up place was tightly contested between Team-B FC and Bendev ‘B’, with both team finishing on four points, the teams were separated by goal difference with Team-B FC finishing second. In group F, Untouchables maintained a 100% record, in spite of a few tight games. Anonymous and Naranpur Youth Wing battled it out for the runners up spot with both teams finishing on four points. Anonymous scrapped through with better goal difference. Bolton Originals ‘A’ swept aside their opponents in Group G as they notched up nine points, scoring ten times and conceding none. Emporium finished as runners up in this group and joined Bolton Originals ‘A’ in the second round. Group H was topped by AVI Contracts who breezed through the group stages comfortably. Red Fury joined them as runners up.

The tie of the second round was between BYC Laxcon ‘A’ and Bendev ‘A’, which to everyone’s surprise went all the way to penalties. During the game both keepers kept their sides in contention throughout, with their goals being bombarded from either ends. With the last kick of the game Priesh could have snatched victory but went agonizingly close. The penalty shoot-out ended with Bendev claiming victory over the third seeds.

Another close encounter involved Dragons and Anonymous, with the Dragons coming through after the penalty shoot-out win. Other teams through to quarter finals were Bolton Originals ’A’, AVI Contracts, Untouchables, Kenford Builders, Kings and Scorpions FC.

The Quarter-finals provided great excitement with heated battles and fine footballing displays keeping the spectators entertained. Number one seeds Kenford Builders marched in to the semi’s with a 2-0 victory over Scorpions FC. Dragons narrowly beat Bolton Originals ‘A’ 2-1 as AVI Contracts strolled through with a 3-0 win over Untouchables. The final game of the Quarter’s saw Kings hold on to claim a 1-0 victory over Bendev ‘A’.

The first Semi-final between Kings and AVI Contracts was a fiercely contested affair with forceful challenges coming in from both teams. Early in the half AVI Contracts had a lot of the possession, but failed to make their opportunities count, as they barraged the Kings goal with no effect. The break came when Jay of AVI contracts drove in a low curling shot into the bottom left hand corner of the Kings’ goal with perfection. The second half lead to an onslaught from the Kings, with wave after wave of chances. Passions flared on both sides and this led to cards being flashed by the referee, with Ketan being sin-binned for sliding the opposition and soon after another one of Kings’ player was sent off. AVI Contracts finished as winners and booked their place in the final.

The second Semi-Final between Kenford Builders and Dragons was evel after 16 minutes of football, with Dragons having better chances during normal time. In extra time Kenford Builders turned up the heat and the Dragons started to wear out after the effort they had put into normal time. This led to mistakes and an opportunity presented to Ravi was serenely finished off to give Kenford Builders a 1-0 lead. Dragons then pressed for the equaliser to try and force the game into a penalty shoot out and by doing so left gaps at the back and Kenford Builders went on to score a second goal which ultimately put an end to Dragons challenge. Kenford Builders went through to their second consecutive.

This year’s final saw a repeat of last year’s final, but was it to end with Kenford Builders defending their crown? Or would AVI Contracts, in their fifth consecutive final, spoil the party?

The game turned out to be an epic encounter with the fans engrossed in every single minute of play not knowing when it will end. The match started off with both teams very nervous and tentative; however they gradually got into their stride as chances were being created. The opening goal came from a mistake by Kenford Builder’s goalkeeper in which Darryl of AVI Contracts slotted home. Thereafter Kenford Builders played really well to get back into the game especially with a player being sin-binned. They created chances, with Ravi having a few shots and making the opposition keeper work. In the final minute of the game, a mistake by AVI Contracts in defence gifted a chance to Mayur of Kenford Builders, who scored giving his team a lifeline. Moving into the extra-time Kenford Builders thought they had one hand on the trophy when they took the lead as a low shot went through the opposition goalkeeper’s legs. AVI Contracts had other plans. With minutes remaining and chances going begging a final free-kick by Mitin was laid-off to Jay the ‘ Carlos’ who rocketed it in the top corner, to the delight of the AVI Contracts supporters.

With both teams reduced in numbers due to late sending offs, both teams could only take 3 penalties each. Cheers roared throughout the field as both sets of supporters cheered as goals were scored or saved. AVI Contracts scored two penalties to win the shoot out 2-0. AVI Contracts were crowned as 2009 Champions.

This victory saw Stan Madha winning the men’s title for the eighth time, a record that will surely stand for many years.

The five teams that had entered were Kinsgbury, Pacestars, Bendev Seniors, Baladia Youth club and Kanbi Knight Riders Seniors. All teams played each other once, with the top two with the most points going through to the finals.

The teams that emerged deserving their places in the finals were Kingsbury and Pacestars. They both qualified with nine points each, with having lost only one game. After a well fought battle, with both sides trying to squeeze out last ounces of energy, Kingsbury beat Pacestars 2-0, naming them the over 35’s champions.

Group B saw Kings play Swaminarayan Gadi FC (SGFC) a team that they had lost to twice in past finals. Like in the previous meetings, SGFC once again came out on top winning 1-0, with the goal scored by Sonam Bhudia. SGFC showed their dominance in this group as they finished unbeaten and top of the standings. This group also featured last year’s runners up Swamibapa FC, who comfortably secured their semi-final place winning two of their matches against last year’s loosing semi finalists Kings and BYG ‘A’.

The first Semi Final saw a rematch of the 2008 final between Bhuva Construction and Swamibapa FC. With both teams fighting for a place all eyes were on Jazzy and Beanz. However neither could break the deadlock and at the end of the second half a few minutes of pressure from Swamibapa saw Reshma (Bhuva Construction) sin binned for handling the ball. Swamibapa FC carried the momentum from the previous half and a throw on deflected off a Bhuva player into their goal, Bhuva’s keeper tried in vain to stop the ball, but was powerless as it crawled over the line. The remaining minutes saw Swamibapa create more chances with the play being in the opposition’s half. The final whistle blew as Swamibapa FC booked their place in their second consecutive final.

The second of the Semi Finals saw a focused SGFC sweep aside Naranpur Youth Wing. The first half saw three goals scored by SGFC. The second half wasn’t such a one sided affair with Naranpur Youth Wing coming back into the game. They showed how well they could move the ball about, however in a quick counter attack it was all over as SGFC scored their forth and by doing so securing their place in the final. Sonam Bhudia (SGFC) was yet again the talisman scoring a hat-trick.

The final was a national affair between Swaminarayan Gadi FC of Bolton and Swamibapa FC of London. Both teams had chances to score the opening goal, but the goal keepers were on top form to deny them. As half time loomed, it looked like 0-0 would be the score line. Sonam Bhudia (SGFC) had other ideas and a good run was finished with a strong shot in the bottom corner giving Swamibapa FC’s goal keeper no chance. The second half saw three good chances come agonizingly close for Swamibapa FC. Again in true counter attack football SGFC caught broke free to score their second and with that seal the tie. At the final whistle, SGFC were crowned champions for the third time. Swaminarayan Gadi FC had scored ten goals and conceded zero.

On behalf of the committee we would like to take this opportunity to show our gratitude and support to our sponsors; Premiere Eurocom for sponsoring the Men’s seniors tournament, Alliance Solicitors for sponsoring the Men’s over 35s tournament, Bendev construction for sponsoring Boy’s Under 16s tournament, AVI Contracts Ltd for sponsoring Boy’s Under 11’s tournament and Heer Construction Ltd for sponsoring Ladies tournament.

Appreciation for the contribution of the organising committee: Raj Madha, Hasmukh Bhudiya, Rajesh Bhudiya Samji Harsiani, Sash Mayani, Mansukh Vekaria, Bharat Vekaria, Krishan Raghvani, Muks Rabadia and Ravin Pindoria.

We would also like to express our appreciation to all the community members, their families and friends who had again attended to support the teams. Our thanks to SKLPC Cricket Club for providing the food stall and Bharat Bhanderi and Manish for preparing the football pitches and last but not least everyone who helped to organise this annual tournament.

Pictures from the tournament can be viewed in the gallery section of the website. Click here to view photos.

Finally, we look forward to seeing you all again next year!!

Krishan Raghvani & Ravin Pindoria