St Paul's take honours, but tournament is winner

JERSEY'S St Paul's won the Rothschild Mini Soccer Festival, winning eight and drawing the other of their nine 12min.-long games without conceding a goal. Everton FC's Boys' Academy side, whose youngsters were a year to 18 months younger than the other under-10 teams on show, were runners-up and also undefeated, while Rovers emerged as the top local side.

But the tournament was not all about winners - although the sponsors and organisers came into that category.

Guernsey's football development officer and new child protection officer Phil Corbet said: 'It's a monumental effort to get this staged by Rovers and it's been great.

'It's been about taking part, not just trying to win it, and having encouragement rather than people being critical of the team on the touchline and sidelines.'

'The spirit the kids have had has been fantastic and the match referees have been brilliant.

'It's 108 minutes of football for all the teams - some of whom have played four games on the bounce,' he said.

Corbet could see a definite improvement in standards on last season's inaugural event.

'St Paul's have been a quality side to watch and the two local sides I have enjoyed watching most are Sylvans and Rovers.

'All the Guernsey sides have tried to play good football and everyone has got a point at least. It's been played in the right spirit and it's what football is about at this level.

'Maybe we could broaden our horizons further and possibly play over two days and we could increase the number of teams,' said Corbet.

'The big incentive is the presence of Everton Football Club and the chance to impress. I know they have picked up a couple of youngsters and it's worthwhile for them.

Senior Guernsey island star Stuart Polson was impressed with the tournament and believed there were some future local stars of the future being bred.

'It's a very useful exercise - you get to see the standard of local talent compared to a Premiership club. We have got some good players and there are a few, including Callum Cummins-Wall, who have impressed,' he said.

New senior island manager Steve Ogier said: 'It's fantastic to see all the kids playing here.

'The St Paul's side is a very good side and Graeme Le Saux's dad is one of the coaches. Everything is set up properly - it's ideal.

'There are some talented Guernsey players, but I think St Paul's are a cut above the rest.'

Vale Rec coach Tony Clarkson, who will be taking a squad of under-14s to the Alpen Cup in Austria next weekend, said: 'Everyone knows Everton are a stronger side, but our lads could not wait to play them.