Tag: tournament

News

VPFC Under-7s Crowned St Albans City Summer Tournament Champions

🏆 Tournament Winners

VPFC Under-7s produced a superb display of skill, teamwork and determination to win the St Albans City Summer Tournament.

The young VPFC squad remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, scoring 24 goals and conceding just two on their way to lifting the trophy.

Group Stage

VPFC began the tournament in impressive fashion with a 4-0 victory over Harvesters before recording a 5-1 win against London Colney Pumas. The momentum continued with a 4-0 success over London Colney Jaguars, followed by a hard-fought 2-0 victory against Everett Rovers.

The group stage concluded with another commanding performance as VPFC defeated Potters Bar Crusaders 4-0, securing top spot in the group with five wins from five matches.

Group Results

  • VPFC 4-0 Harvesters
  • VPFC 5-1 London Colney Pumas
  • VPFC 4-0 London Colney Jaguars
  • VPFC 2-0 Everett Rovers
  • VPFC 4-0 Potters Bar Crusaders

Semi-Final

In the semi-final, VPFC faced a strong London Colney Lions side. Despite the difficult weather conditions, VPFC showed excellent composure and attacking quality to secure a deserved 3-1 victory and book their place in the final.

Final

The final saw VPFC take on Chesham United Youth. The players rose to the occasion, delivering a disciplined and energetic performance. Two well-taken goals and a resolute defensive display earned a 2-0 victory, sparking jubilant celebrations at the final whistle.

A Team Effort

The tournament victory was the result of a fantastic collective effort from the entire squad, who demonstrated outstanding commitment, resilience and sportsmanship throughout the day.

Squad

Sebastian Last (Captain), Jonathan Knowles, Jim Baird, Freddie Luckhurst, Theo Wilson, George Balogh and Jonah Carvalho-Baird.

Congratulations to all the players on a memorable achievement and an excellent way to finish the season.

News

VPFC Under 7s Shine at Herts Youth League Festival

As part of our new relationship with the Herts Youth League (HYL), we’ve been exploring new opportunities for our young players. One of the things that piqued our interest was the HYL Under 7 Festivals — a fantastic pathway towards league football for our Year 2 players. The festivals, organised every 3 weeks or so up to Christmas in Year 2, are designed to give young players a taste of competitive matches while still keeping the focus on fun and development. For many of our players, these events offer an exciting glimpse into the world of league football, giving them the chance to experience competitive football without having to commit to playing every weekend and training during the week.

While the match scores aren’t officially recorded at this level, it’s no secret that the children (and parents!) usually keep track. For VPFC, with us still finding our way in supporting those interested in transitioning to league football, it’s always good to know how our teams are shaping up against others in the area. And judging by the feedback from this festival – the report following from our Year 2 Group’s Manager, Neil Harrison – we have every reason to be proud!

⚽️ U7 Festival Report ⚽️

On Saturday, Year 2 participated in their first Herts Youth League Festival, hosted by Wheathampstead Wanderers. This was the first opportunity for a group of players who have been with our skills setup for the past two seasons to test themselves against some strong local teams.

The team played four matches—against St Albans City, Wheathampstead Wanderers, Bengeo, and Bury—with every player giving their best and enjoying themselves along the way. What’s even better? We won all four games!

Here’s a quick summary of the day’s action:

  • 1-0 vs St Albans City: A closely fought game, sealed with a brilliant link-up between Robbie and Calum for a fantastic goal.
  • 2-0 vs Wheathampstead Wanderers Pumas: Elliott and Robbie were on fire, both netting beautiful goals.
  • 9-0 vs Bengeo Caspians: A goalfest! Hat-tricks from Calum and Finlay, a brace from Jude, and a goal with an assist by Ted led the way.
  • 3-0 vs Bury Stripes: A strong defensive display from Jesse and excellent team play all around capped off the day with goals from Ralph, Ted, and Robbie.

The afternoon was topped off by an impressive feat—we didn’t concede a single goal! But most importantly, the team had loads of fun, which was the true highlight of the day.

News

Year 5 vs Year 6 Friendly Tournament

On Saturday 6th July, rather than having a normal training session, our Year 5 and Year 6 groups embarked on a friendly tournament at Normandy Road. Despite the pouring rain, all the coaches were so impressed by the commitment all of the children showed.  

The children displayed great talent, team work and support throughout the tournament. As such we had three absolutely thrilling games. The nail biting final game, between a Year 6 team and a Year 5 team, ended up in a draw, where they became joint winners. 

The children had a fantastic time and it was a great way to end this seasons training session.

Thanks to Year 5 and Year 6 coaches for organising a great morning for these children. 

News

VPFC Girls Teams Compete in the Berkhamsted Tournament

The VPFC girls’ football program has seen significant growth, leading to an exciting milestone: two teams (Year 2 and Year 5) competed in their first competitive matches at the Berkhamsted Tournament.

Pictured above the Y2 and Y5 teams and coaches (left) – just look at that enthusiasm from Alice (centre in goalie gloves)! The Y2 girls receiving their medals (right).

U10 Girls Team: A Promising Debut

The VPFC U10 girls’ team displayed incredible enthusiasm and determination in their debut tournament.

  • First Game: The girls started strong with a 0-0 draw. Despite being the better team, they couldn’t break through the opposition’s defence. Alicia played a pivotal role in midfield, creating several great through balls for Eliza, who came close to scoring.
  • Second Game: Another solid 0-0 draw. Bea had her best performance in midfield, while Mabel was a key player all over the pitch.
  • Third Game: The team celebrated their first win! Lottie scored a goal with a well-timed run from defence, and strong performances from Valé and Erin rounded out the line-up.
  • Final Game: Facing the toughest team in the group, the girls unfortunately lost 4-0.

Overall, the U10 girls delivered a commendable performance, finishing 3rd out of 5 in their league and narrowly missing the playoffs by goal difference. A fantastic effort for their first taste of competitive football.

U7 Girls Team: Battling Against Older Competition

The VPFC U7 girls entered an U8 competition, facing teams mostly composed of older players with more league experience.

  • First Game: Neus made some great saves in goal, while Julie, Alice, and Amelie provided solid defence. Sophie, Claudia, and Emmeline were a constant attacking threat. The game ended in a 0-0 draw, earning the girls their first point in competitive play.
  • Second Game: Fresh legs from Eve and Florence in midfield, alongside excellent defending from Julie and Neus (now playing outfield), led to a hard-fought match. Despite their efforts, the girls lost 1-0 to a late goal.
  • Games 3 and 4: The coach experimented with new formations and positions, resulting in close defeats but valuable learning experiences for the team.
  • Final Two Games: Against the top two teams, some of whom were up to two years older, the girls showed great resilience. Though they didn’t end on a high note, their effort against stronger, more experienced opposition was commendable.

Despite the challenges, the U7 girls demonstrated significant potential and should be proud of their performance against older teams. This experience will undoubtedly serve as a springboard for future success.

Is this the first glimpse of some future Lionesses? Keep watching this space for more exciting updates!

News

Year 3 at Welwyn Garden City Tournament

On 16th June our Year 3 group took 3 teams of 7 to play at the Welwyn Garden City Youth FC’s 5-a-side tournament.

The children soaked up the experience of playing in a tournament, and have to be commended for giving their absolute best whilst having lots of fun. They fully embraced our club ethos of having fun, supporting and encouraging each other and working as a team, winning and losing together.

Whilst the results weren’t all in our favour, all of the children put their hearts and souls into the games and they had a fantastic day out. 

We had great support from our parents, who cheered the children on throughout and gave some brilliant feedback afterwards on how well organised and run the tournament was, which included:

“A great experience for them and wonderful to see them giving their best whilst having fun”

“Thank you coaches for all your work putting together…a really lovely experience for them all”

“Thank you and well done to all involved. Great afternoon”

Well done to all of Year 3 for a brilliant tournament! 

News

VPFC’s Triumphant Return: St Albans City Youth Annual Football Tournament 2024

This year’s St Albans City Youth Annual Football Tournament was an event filled with excitement and determination for our club. After last year’s challenging experience, where we lost every game playing in an age group a year above, our young players returned this year with a renewed spirit and determination to improve. 

Format and Performance

We entered two under-7 teams into the tournament, the Lions and the Tigers,  who were both eager to make it out of the group stages. Each team played five group games, and both successfully qualified for the semi-finals, showcasing remarkable improvement and teamwork along the way. 

Semi-Final Thrills

In a thrilling semi-final, the Lions demonstrated immense courage, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 after extra time. Their resilience and fighting spirit were genuinely inspiring. Meanwhile, the Tigers overcame a strong team, winning 4-1 to set up a VPFC derby in the final!

The final itself was a cagey affair, but the Tigers won to bring home our first piece of silverware, marking a significant achievement for our club.

Highlights of the Day

– Jack Attack: Scored a stunning hat trick, leading the line with his outstanding performance

– Charlie: Scored a brace in the semi-final, one with each foot. 

– Isa and Ethan: Made crucial saves in goal, showcasing their sharp reflexes and composure under pressure.

– Idris: Delivered a rocket free kick in the semi-final, a moment reminiscent of David Beckham’s legendary strikes.

– Zander and Emilio Delap: Displayed brave defending, holding the line with their tenacity and resilience.

– Oscar and Percy: Showed silky skills, dazzling the opponents and spectators alike with their dribbling and footwork.

– George and Elijah: Scored important goals that contributed significantly to the team’s success.

– Ibrahim: Provided great assists, setting up his teammates with precision and vision.

Moreover, all 12 players gave 100% commitment and worked tirelessly as a team, demonstrating excellent sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

Special Thanks

A special mention goes to the VPFC families for their fantastic support and encouragement. The positive energy and cheering from the sidelines truly spurred all the boys on, making a significant difference in their performance.

The St Albans City Youth Annual Football Tournament 2024 was a memorable event for our club. The progress made by our young players, the excitement of the matches, and the joy of bringing home silverware all contributed to an unforgettable experience. We are incredibly proud of our teams and look forward to many more successes in the future. Thank you to everyone who made this day possible!

News

Our Y2 Kids at the Letchworth Eagles U7 Football Tournament

On Sunday, June 9th, a dozen of our Year 2 kids embarked on an exciting journey to the Letchworth Eagle U7 Football Tournament. For most of these young players, it was their first experience of participating in a football tournament. The event was a fantastic opportunity for them to build their experience and confidence, and they certainly rose to the challenge!

Rising to the Challenge

The tournament was a large, well-organized event featuring teams from all over Hertfordshire. Our kids played 5-a-side football, which provided a great platform for them to showcase their skills and teamwork. The event was led by our dedicated Y2 head coach, Chris, who has been instrumental in nurturing the talents of our young players.

Team Spirit and Progress

We entered two teams into the tournament, each playing four matches. The progression of both teams was remarkable, with each game boosting their confidence and honing their abilities. Despite the mixed results – winning some, drawing some, and losing some – the kids demonstrated incredible growth and sportsmanship.

Highlights of the Day

One of the highlights of the day was seeing the kids’ enthusiasm and determination. They scored (and saved) some fantastic goals in the later matches, a testament to their growing confidence and improved teamwork. The atmosphere was electric, and it was heartwarming to see the kids supporting each other and celebrating every small victory.

A Memorable Finish

As the tournament drew to a close, the moment that stood out was the medal ceremony. When our teams took to the podium to receive their medals, the announcer declared them his favourite group of the day. Their joy and excitement during the podium celebration were infectious, making it a memorable experience for everyone involved.

Looking Ahead

The Letchworth Eagle U7 Football Tournament was a significant milestone for our Year 2 kids. It provided them with valuable experience and a chance to develop their skills in a competitive yet supportive environment. We are incredibly proud of their efforts and the progress they made throughout the tournament.

This experience has undoubtedly laid a solid foundation for their future in football. We look forward to more tournaments and opportunities where our young stars can continue to shine and make us proud.

Thank you to all the parents, supporters, and especially Coach Chris and Coach Ross for making this day possible. Here’s to many more successful and enjoyable tournaments in the future!