Mill Lane Wizards Win Two Domestic And One European Title

Mill Lane Wizards u15s really have been flying the flag for Beverley over the past few weeks claiming 3 trophies from local, regional and European tournaments.

Their first tournament win came in May at Tadcaster near Leeds. Having won the group stages they had to overcome the host team in the semi-finals and after an early goal, comfortably held out to reach the final against Pontefract.

Despite this looking like their most challenging match, the Wizards turned on the style in the final and a goal in each half gave them the trophy.

Then just a couple of weeks ago they embarked on a trip to Holland to play in a European tournament near Eindhoven in the midst of a mini heatwave. With temperatures pushing above 90 degrees, the benefit of having the full squad to choose from really did come into play. Although the weather was an issue, the facilities provided by our hosts RKDVC were outstanding.

Mill Lane started strongly against a local Dutch team and with a 4:0 victory really did put a marker down for what was to follow. Further victories throughout the day against local opposition meant a draw or victory in their final match would see them crowned champions. This match just happened to be against their old foes Sproatley.

Despite the weather the game started at 100 miles an hour, with crunching tackles and no inch given in a ferocious opening 5 minutes. A subsequent foul by Mill Lane was punished as a floated free kick was headed home at the back post to put Sproatley in the driving seat.

However this seemed to make the Wizards even more determined and after some relentless pressure, the referee awarded Mill Lane a penalty which was duly converted to make the score 1:1. The momentum was definitely with the Beverley team as the Sproatley keeper pulled off some good saves before a cross came into the box and was volleyed home to make the final score 2:1 to Mill Lane. Not quite champions of Europe but maybe of Eindhoven!

Closer to home the Wizards played in the local Sproatley tournament at the weekend and after winning 6 and drawing 1 of their group games, finishing top without conceding a goal, they faced Hessle in their semi-final.

The Wizards piled on the pressure from the off and deservedly went ahead with a neat finish from an acute angle. Again the Wizards failed to concede and so faced the other Hessle team in the final.

Despite a cagey opening few minutes, where Hessle probably created the best chances, Mill Lane came into it more as the game wore on, but despite this it was stalemate at full time.

So extra time and with both teams looking for the winner it became more open but again there was no end product and so the final came down to penalties. Despite a gruelling day Mill Lane kept their composure and won the trophy with a proud record of not conceding a goal across all 9 matches.