The next generation show their potential

IT WAS an all Premiership affair in the final of the weekend's BWCI Mini Soccer Festival as Everton beat Arsenal 1-0 for the Rothschild Shield. 'It was great, it was fantastic,' said GFA development officer Chris Pringle about the festival.

'We were concerned about the weather but it was good. It was probably one of the most positive festivals we've had.

'The standard was pretty good and I thought Arsenal and Everton were particularly strong. Just the way they passed the ball was exceptional.'

The blues' academy side have been over every year for the annual tournament at Foote's Lane since the first one in 2002.

The only other time that they have won the trophy was at the inaugural event.

To get to Sunday's final played in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd in the Garenne Stand, both Everton and Arsenal were unbeaten in their groups.

Everton then proceeded to beat Jersey's Rozel Rovers 4-0 in the semi-finals while Arsenal got the better of Vale Rec 2-1.

In total there were 16 teams taking part in the under-10s' competition, with six coming from the island.

Along with Rec, Sylvans were Guernsey's best performers over the weekend.

The westerners reached the Rothschild Plate final against St Peter but it was the Jersey side that were triumphant after a penalty shootout was needed to separate the two teams.

Sylvans coach Roy Brehaut said they were unlucky not to have won it.

'Even their coach said that they thought we had edged the final,' he said.

'We played really well. I thought we were a bit nervous on the Saturday and we didn't show our potential but when we got through to the knockout stage, the players showed what they could do.

'It was an absolutely cracking tournament. It was great for the Channel Islands kids to mix it with the professional teams.

'It was very good organisation.'

Pringle was very appreciative of all the help and support that the festival received.

'My thanks go to everyone on the organising committee and, of course, Shane Moon and Andy Collenette for ensuring that the festival ran as smoothly as we could have wished,' he said.

'We are indebted to a number of young volunteers from the College of FE sports studies course for their help.

'We received tremendous support from headline sponsors BWCI Services and also from Culture and Leisure, Rothschild, Intersport and The Partnership - our thanks to all concerned.'