The Prep II football team were champing at the bit to arrive at Man City and show everyone what they could do. This was particularly true of Oscar who asked if ‘we were there yet,’ at the Worsley Road roundabout! The flood at the roundabout made us hope and pray that we would be playing inside rather than in the Typhoon like conditions.
After several visits to the loo we could finally start our first game v Wilmslow. This match would have been billed as a ‘no contest’ in a boxing ring with Wilmslow fielding a team of children who had obviously never played football before. The score was well in to double figures when Mr Rooney had to encourage his team to sit back a little and allow the opposition a kick of the ball. Our second game was against Wilmslow B team so Mr Rooney feared that his team would not have a decent game of football to display their undoubted skills properly. Thankfully the second Wilmslow team were a little better and BWS won 10-0.
Bridgewater’s need for quality opposition was certainly satisfied when Lady Barn School lined up in their yellow strip looking determined and ready for the big match. Lady Barn had an impressive right winger who was able to cajole the Bridgewater defenders over to his wing several times creating space for his Lady Barn team mates. The trap was set and despite constant pressure from the Bridgewater team Lady Barn scored after a break down their right wing. Bridgewater worked even harder and threw everything at the resolute Lady Barn defence. Unfortunately a defensive error allowed Lady Barn to score again leading to a 2 nil defeat.
Bridgewater had lots of energy left and were certainly not subdued by their defeat. St Ambrose School were our next opponents. Our tactics of passing and moving in to space finally paid dividends with Samuel starring on the right wing and Henry weaving his magic on the left. The match was certainly one sided with Bridgewater finally winning 4 – 0.
Rydal Penrhos had travelled from Llandudno to play in the tournament but after some hefty but fair challenges from Jazz and Jacob and whirlwind attacking from Mason Bridgewater won convincingly by several goals to 1. Special mention must go to Christian Hook who was our only Prep 1 player. He starred in this game and certainly looked the part on this difficult stage.
Finally we played Stockport Grammar who were brushed aside by some outstanding play by the whole team and in particular Oliver who performed an outstanding drag back and pass and Oscar who worked feverishly throughout the tournament.
A well-deserved unofficial second place for Bridgewater with some performances that made the on looking City scouts sit up and take note!