The Phil Jenkins Memorial Cup Birmingham 2006

This years’ event took place at Power League Football Centre in Birmingham in temperatures of up to 90 degrees. It was an extremely hot day, which made playing conditions pretty demanding but most players showed just how fit the Orthotics industry is and got stuck-in from the whistle.

The format of this year’s competition was two groups. One group containing 6 teams played 12 minute matches while the other group contained 5 teams, with their games lasting 15 minutes per match. The top two teams from each group then went onto the final stages of the tournament.

 

The 2006 teams line up

Most games on the day were fiercely contested, with the standard of football the best yet. The opening match of group A, saw Salts A team thump Dacey’s B team 7-0. Also in Group A were 2005 winners Algeos who got off to their customary slow start by drawing 1-1 with MAG in a tight contest. In group B, Dacey’s A team got off to a flying start beating Salts B team 5-0.

In group A MAG topped the group from Algeos on goal difference but the real drama came in group B after Salts A team had won the group.

Dacey’s A team were in 2nd place 5 goals clear of Blatchfords who still had to face Chris Hanley’s in the final group match. Blatchford’s took control and were 4-0 up and camped out in Hanley’s half of the pitch. They tried everything they could in search of the goal that would seal qualification but a combination of brave defending, excellent goal keeping and luck kept the ball out. However, just as Dacey’s A team where about to celebrate qualification Blatchford’s finally broke the Hanley rearguard and scored the 5th and decisive goal with virtually the last kick of the game ensuring a Blatchford’s passage into the semi finals.

The game of the day was the semi final match which saw MAG against Salts A team. The game ended a 2-2 draw which meant a dreaded penalty shoot out! Salts took control as MAG missed an early penalty and the last spot kick would have seen Salts into the final but the shot missed the target and gave MAG a lifeline; they then took full advantage of this and won the shootout in sudden death.

The other semi final was between Algeos and Blatchfords. Both teams were by now feeling the heat and in a close game Algeos came out on top with a 2-0 win. This meant Algeos had the chance to make it a hat trick of tournament victories and take revenge on MAG who had beaten them in the 2002 final!

Both teams put on a good performance in the final. There wasn’t much to choose between them and the game could have gone either way, but the deadlock was finally broken when Algeos put together a fine move which undid the MAG defence and left their excellent goalkeeper stranded as Algeos took the lead. This forced MAG to play much more attacking football but they could not breakdown Algeos sturdy defence and the existing champions took full advantage of this and wrapped the game up when Algeos captain Francis Barrett scored the critical second goal. The game finished 2-0 to Algeos who became the first team to retain the trophy and also claim a third win in the finals.

The day ended with the teams enjoying some cold beers, before Karen Sheridan presented the trophy to delighted Algeos captain Francis Barrett.

Orthotictechnicians.com and Algeos would like to thank all this years’ participants for their time and effort and for making the day so enjoyable once again. We would also like to thank Lynn Fearn of Salts for providing everyone with refreshing Oranges.

The football was well contested and played in good nature (well most games!) and we hope to see you all again next year!

Winners: A. Algeo Ltd - Gallery