Teams prosper in tournaments

Much of the youth football programme was postponed as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak – but there was still some action and a great deal of success for Faversham Strike Force youngsters Under-10 Thunder were in the goals against Betteshanger and then made an impromptu decision to shun the player-ofthe-match award and instead give it to their coach, Russ Laker.

Ethan Taylor and Charlie Frankham both claimed hattricks, with a brace for Sammy Laker, while Will Jones bagged a trio of assists for the second week running

It was a Saturday to remember for the under-8s as two of their teams won league festival tournaments. Lightning held their nerve in two penalty shoot-outs on their way to a tense victory in the final at Herne Bay Harriers. Tyler Brooks scored two fine goals in the group stage and later claimed a dramatic lastgasp equaliser in the final direct from a goal-kick. Toby Clemmey was inspired form in the shoot-outs and his side claimed the trophy after two nerve-shredding penalty faceoffs.

Thunder travelled to

Ramsgate and won the trophy despite having a bare minimum of five players – James Davies, Robbie Winton, Samuel Hutchings, Seth Cornish and William Perkins – due to injury andillness.theysqueakedinto the semi-finals before finding their feet as Winton scored a hat-trick. He then added two more in the final but it was a true team effort that saw them over the line to victory. Yet more silverware followed for under-7 Lightning who also won their league festival in Deal. Remarkably, they did so without conceding and Elijah Sparks deservedly picked up the player-of-the-tournament award for a string of clean sheets.

Kingston Pankhurst scored six goals in all, Riley Hawkins adding another, but it was a brilliant display by all the boys. Under-7 Hurricanes headed to Margate as Thanet Colts hosted their tournament. In a fiercely-fought competition the team battled bravely with goals coming through braces from Reuben Wilkinson and Elliott Jones, and a great turn and finish from Theo Hillis. Harris Neaves was named top player on the day as he visibly grew in confidence over the course of the tournament.

Under-8 Thunder – won a tournament at Ramsgate despite just having the bare minimum of five players

Under-7 Lightning – won their league festival at Deal

Volunteer Swale winner Harry Suter