The Under 10s 2018/19 season has been full of exhilarating highs, but this day was one to compare with the very best, as GNP Sports marched all the way through to the Southam Utd Festival Final before bowing out as brave runners-up to serial tournament winners Elite United Under 10s.
5 games in our competitive Round-Robin group resulted in 3 wins, 2 draws and clean sheets in all 5 matches. This was a group which contained 3 other teams who competed in higher tiers of the Coventry & Warwickshire Youth League, so topping the group represents a stunning performance from the boys.
The semi-final with Khalsa Juniors (Falcons) required great spirit to come back from conceding an early goal. Archie Barriscale was again the hero in normal time, grabbing a deserved equaliser from a Luca Wilson through-ball. Extra time ended in stalemate so it went to the dreaded penalty shoot-out. Despite GNP's awful record in shoot-outs, the boys clinched this one 3-0. Well taken kicks from Harry Little, Hari Gill & Archie Barriscale were backed up with 2 strong saves from Gurveer Hundal to clinch a place in the Final.
The Final against Elite United proved to be one step too far, but the boys competed brilliantly. Archie was foiled by the keeper in a 1v1 while it was 0-0, raising hopes for what might have been. Elite are a strong and talented team. They took the lead when a hopeful cross created confusion leading to Archie diverting the ball past his own keeper, and made it 2-0 after 2 good saves from Gurveer were not enough to keep out the dangerous attacker.
GNP had to settle for runner-up medals, but should be immensely proud of a tremendous performance from all 10 players. Special mention must go, however, to Archie Barriscale, who was absolutely immense today. He covered 4 different positions, ran non-stop both ways, scored 4 of our 5 goals, as well as the winning penalty in the semi-final shoot-out.

Congratulations Boys. Parents & Coaches are amazingly proud!!