THE ROAD HOME

The squad have departed for their journey home this morning.

They will be stopping off at the chocolate factory & the hypermarket in Calais before crossing to Dover & travelling back up to hopefully arrive back in Crewe at around 9pm this evening.

More to follow soon ..............

SEMI FINALS - THE END OF THE ROAD

Hot & sunny again here in Holland - what a week of good weather we've had.

The lads were slow out of the blocks against a small but technical Dutch side today & made hard work of the first half going in 1-0 down at half time.
The second half saw much improvement with enough effort to make up for the slow start. The lads were unlucky to conceed another to provide a real uphill struggle for the remaining 10 minutes.
There were two penalty appeals waved away by the home referee before the breakthrough came with two minutes remaining. Unfortunately there was not enough time for an equaliser & we went out 2-1.

HOLLAND STARS 2 - SCYL PUMAS 1

The other semi final was won by the Beelen Boys who beat Allerton FC 2-1.
The final was eventually won 12-0 by the Beelen Boys.

The whole squad picked themselves up, supported each other & were a credit to themselves. There was no blame or bad attitudes - WELL DONE LADS WE ARE ALL PROUD OF YOU.

The under 11s lost 2-1 in their final & the under 16s (Kidsgrove Athletic) drew their final against Poole Town 1-1, but unfortunately lost on penalties.

The slideshow has been updated & has some pics of the under 11s trophy presentation....

DAY 4 - A FINALS GROUP STAGES

A superb day again in hot & sunny Holland.
The day started with a 5-0 victory over DSM from India. The Indians held out for a while before the experience & determination of the Pumas took over. Overall the game was played in good spirit with both squads staying on the pitch for a chat at the end.
The second match was the crunch game against Elite DC FC from Plymouth. Both teams needed the win to guarantee a place in the semi finals. The match was not a pretty game but the true grit of the Pumas told in the end with a 3-0 victory to book a place in the next stage tomorrow.

SCYL PUMAS 5 - DSM 0
(Allan 2, Danny, Nathan, Kyle)

SCYL PUMAS 3 - ELITE DC FC 0
(Allan 2, Danny)

Tomorrows semi finals both kick off at 11am local time:
HOLLAND STARS V SCYL PUMAS
ALLERTON FC V BEELEN BOYS

All todays photos have now been added to the slideshow......

DAY 3 - A FINALS GROUP STAGES

A good start to the A Finals group stage with two wins.
The weather was again very hot & sunny with the lads having to keep shaded between games. Plenty to do at the Friendship Village with food, shopping & PS3 consoles - oh & the all important bar!!

CARDINAL H. KNIGHTS 0 - SCYL PUMAS 2
(Ash, Danny)

CARDINAL H. CAVALIERS 0 - SCYL PUMAS 5
(Allan 3, Danny, Nathan)

Results can also be found on the following link: http://www.toernooi.nl/sport/draw.aspx?id=21908&draw=32
Have a browse through & have a look at our other SCYL teams.....

DAY 2 - MIXED FORTUNES

Another hot & sunny day here in Holland - the forecast is for more of the same!!

The first match was against the Beelan Boys, a Dutch Academy team. Unfortunately the team went down 3-1 with a controversial ending. A horrific tackle on Jepo with 7 minutes remaining left him needing treatment on the pitch - due to the supposed rules regarding time being played to schedule there are no stoppages for any reason, this meant that the match was ended without the ball being put back into play? Unfortunate as the team were starting to get the upper hand.
The second match was a comfortable 8-0 victory.

BEELAN BOYS 3 - SCYL PUMAS 1 (match finished due to time)
(Kyle)

SCYL PUMAS 8 - WILDCATS SA 0
(Allan 2, Ash, Kyle, Nathan, Will & others tbc asap!)

Day 2 pics have now been added to the slideshow >>

The squad are through to the A Finals Group to be played at the Friendship Village on Thursday & Friday.
All other age groups are also having a succesful time with some good results being recorded - more details as they arrive.

DAY 1 - A GOOD START

The weather today is bright & sunny. The lads had a good start with two wins & played some nice flowing football.

SCYL PUMAS 11 - SWARM SA 0
(Danny 4, Nathan 2, Ash 2, Oli, Kyle, Ben)

TORSLANDA 1 - SCYL PUMAS 6
(Danny 3, Ash, Nathan, Kyle)

Tour photos slideshow is in the sidebar on the right - click on the slideshow for larger images.









Roll on tomorrow.......

COUNTDOWN TO KICK OFF

Kick off to the first match is only about 10 hours away.
The blog is being updated live from Holland - we arrived tonight at 11pm - no sightings of any of the squad on the drive in so it looks like the curfew is working!!
Weather is wet & windy at the moment (11:50pm) but we could be at home instead. Forecast is saying it will brighten up????

More updates & results tomorrow.....

BON VOYAGE!

The squad departed from Crewe Alex at 5am this morning for the journey down to Dover. They will cross to Calais then travel up through France & Belgium, arriving in Noordwijk, Holland later this evening.

Updates will be posted from Tuesday when the games start so keep checking back.......

OPPONENT & TOURNAMENT INFO

Swarm SA (USA) & Wildcats SA (USA) are part of the people to people peace organisation that takes children around the world to create & be a part of peace. The organisation started in 1956.
Info on Torslanda & Beelen Boys coming soon.

The Youth Friendship Games In Haarlem is part of the sports ambassador program. We are playing only a small section of the many thousands of American Kids who are coming over to Holland to take part in the football, baseball, tennis, basketball & swimming tournaments that make up the Youth Friendship games.

GROUP STAGE FIXTURES

The groups & fixtures have been released. The Pumas have been placed in D13 Group F.

D13 Group F
1. Torslanda IK - Sweden
2. SCYL Pumas - England
3. Wildcats SA - USA
4. Beelan Boys - Netherlands
5. Swarm SA - USA

Fixtures
Tuesday 22nd July - SCYL Pumas v Swarm SA - 09:50 ko
Tuesday 22nd July - Torslanda IK v SCYL Pumas - 11:30 ko
Wednesday 23rd July - Beelan Boys v SCYL Pumas - 10:40 ko
Wednesday 23rd July - SCYL Pumas v Wildcats SA - 12:20 ko

Teams progress through to the next stage of the tournament based on their final group positions.

The group matches are being played at HFC Haarlem - the club that a young Ruud Gullit played for, making his debut at 16 yrs old & scoring 32 goals in his 91 games with the club.

MEET THE SQUAD

1) JOSH CUDNEY (Cheshire Blades) - Great shotstopper. Claim to fame saving a last minute penalty to earn a draw against the USA at last years tournament.

1) NICK GIBBS (Cheshire Wolves) - New to this years squad. A quiet lad who has impressed in both friendly matches & at training.

2) LUKE STOKES (Red Raiders) - Plays either left back or midfield. Gives 100% wherever he plays.

3) SCOTT "chopper" BIRKS (Red Raiders) - Plays left back , another who gives 100% & if the ball goes past him the player doesnt!!!!!

4) ROSS GODFREY (Red Raiders) - Vice Captain. Centre Midfield. On his day nobody better in the league.

5) WILL MAY (Betley FC) - Another new addition to the squad. Very quiet but has really impressed in friendlies playing at right back.

6) CIARON "beckenbauer" THORLEY (Red Raiders) - Had never played centre back before last years tour but now really does look the part. Commands the back four.

8) NATHAN JONES (Red Raiders) - Captain. Leads by example & well respected by both teammates & management, Great ball winner & passer of the ball.

9) KYLE "adios amigo" SMALLWOOD (Crewe FC) - Striker. Gives 100% in training & matches & chases everything.

11) BEN GUILDFORD (Red Raiders) - Left Midfield. Great crosser of the ball & never lets the team down. Chief cornertaker.

12) ALLEN BRALEY (Red Raiders) - Never says much & only small but very strong for his size & when on the run nobody will catch him.

14) ASH "wright-phillips" WORRALL (Red Raiders) - Only small but lots of skill & never gives up. Scores lots of goals coming in at the back post to meet Ben's crosses.

16) SPENCER "animal" REEVES (Alsager Celtic) - Strong defender who never gives up. Scored a last minute penalty to beat Holland last year - he has had hero status ever since!!!

17) DANIEL HALL (Cheshire Blades) -78 goals for Blades last season & terrorises defences with power & pace.

Pictures will follow shortly for:
7) OLIVER "jepo" JEPSON (Alsager Town) - Never stops talking!!!!!!!! Playing a year up but certainly looks the part with the older players.

&

15) ANDY "hardman" HARDING (Red Raiders) - Another new member of the squad. He has got power, pace & not a lot gets past him,. Also a long throw expert!!!

MANAGER'S SUMMARY OF THE SQUAD:

Fantastic group of lads who give everything & have a great attitude. No prima donnas in the squad & all work for each other. Really looking forward to the Tour & myself & John have received great support from all the players & their parents.

Thanks - Clive Guildford.

SOUTH CHESHIRE YOUTH LEAGUE PUMAS

The SCYL Pumas are touring Holland to play in the Regio Haarlem Cup as the Under 13s representatives from the South Cheshire Youth League.
The squad is made up of 16 players who have all played for teams in the South Cheshire Youth League last season & are managed by Clive Guildford with John Birks as assistant.
Pictured at the head of the page with the squad is Paul Griffiths from PG Sports - official kit supplier for the Pumas.

Training has been underway since the end of the season & the squad have played, & won, four friendlies.

Pictures, results & news will be posted on here regularly, there will also be regular updates from Holland during the tournament week.

Photos from a recent training session are shown below:



Keep checking back for more news.