Swindon Flames claim Bronze in National Finals
The Junior Flames finished their season in 3rd place at the National Championships. They lost only one game in the semi final (1-0) and won a huge amount of respect from other teams.
The Juniors had finished the year as Southern league (SASH) champions but were drawn in a group with the SESHA Champions and Northern league runners up. They travelled down to Torbay with the smallest team in the Nationals but inspired by a new Canadian coach, Chris Woodford.
The first game against West Coast Wasps from Bisha North was tough and Swindon took too many penalties - playing with three and sometimes two players. Winning 4-3 and with twenty seconds to go Swindon cleared the ball accidentally out of the pitch. The refs decided it was deliberate and gave Wasps a penalty shot. They scored and the whistle blew for a draw and a disappointing result.
In the second group game, Swindon played the Hurricanes from Stansted SESHA winners. Woody was carried off with a damaged calf muscle and Swindon were reduced to 5 outfield players. Swindon though were inspired and dominated the game with clinical passing to win an emphatic 6-0.
Moving into the quarterfinals they were drawn against local South West rivals Whitchurch Hawks for the last game of the day. They have had many physical battles with the Hawks in previous seasons and this game was no exception. With Woody back on pitch – but under par - this was a real test of Swindon’s character. It was an exciting game and Swindon just managed to stay ahead and win 3-2.
In the semi-final, the Flames were drawn against South West Champions, North Wilts Vikings from Chippenham. Against one of the tournament favourites comprising 5 Great Britain players from as far away as Wigan, Swindon were expected to defend. In fact Swindon attacked and controlled most of the first half. They hit the crossbar and post several times before Vikings scored against the run of play.
In the second half Vikings continued to defend and had one player in the bin much of the time. Controversially, with a minute to go a Vikings player hit the ball out of the pitch which could have given Swindon a penalty shot. But not this time. The refs judged this to be different to our first game and Vikings survived to win 1 – 0.
At the final whistle, Swindon were devastated. They had controlled the game but just could not score. With a little luck from the post and crossbar they would have been in the final.
In their final game, to decide 3rd and 4th place, they were drawn against Leasowes Sharks – winners of the Northern League and old adversaries from Halesowen. With a three line, 13 man team, Leasowes should have worn Swindon down, but the lads had played most of the season with only 7 players.
At 2-2 and with a minute and a half to go Laurie Hodge managed to break clear and side-stepped the goalie to score top corner. It was a fitting end to the match and a deserved win.
Manager Kev Osman commented “finishing third they had battled as a small team which was much greater than the sum of its parts. We had many good compliments from other managers and officials e.g. ‘when are the rest of your team turning up?’ and ‘your guys are amazing’. In the final presentation two Flames players, Sean Barnett and Steve Osman, were voted into the tournament dream team. This was recognition for the players and the whole team.”
Back Row (L–R) Chris Woodford (coach), Phil Costigan Asst Manager, Darren Wood, Phil Hodge, Addy Holton,
Kev Osman (manager)
Front Row Steve Osman, Sean Barnett (Capt), Laurie Hodge (Asst), Dan Oldland GK
This Flames Junior team has been the most successful team in the history of the club. Starting as PeeWees soon after the club was formed, all of the players have progressed through the age groups as youth reds, youth flames, Junior reds and finally Junior Flames.
As a youth flames team they put Swindon on the map by finishing runners up in the National and European Youth Championships. They have benefited from some good coaches and improved as individuals all of the time.
Importantly, they play a good passing game as a true team.