Riverside fly the flag at tournament in Spain
e Riverside Football Club headed to Spain on on Saturday, June 23, to take part in the annual Copa Catalunia International football festival based at Santa Susanna just outside Barcelona.
Representing Riverside were the under 17s and under 19s and in total including supporters, players and committee there was a travelling party of 72.
To organise such a large trip took careful planning and it’s thanks to all that helped with fund-raising and of course the following sponsors: Birds and the Bess, IL Vicollo, Endangered Designs, Casra, RiversideTaxis
During the trip the cub also represented the Chris Mitchell Foundation promoting the hard work the foundation trustees are doing with regards to mental health issues in sport.
On the pitch the boys did the club proud. With teams from Slovenia, Argentina, Italy, Germany, Spain, Denmark, France, Ireland and England, it was always going to be tough for the Riverside players. And playing in the afternoon in blistering heat of Spain made the job harder.
The under 17s came third in their group, fifth over all, with Adam Sharp finishing top goalscorer for Riverside. The team faced two Italian select sides losing narrowly to both.
The under 19s went one better claiming the bronze medal when they beat top German side FV Rockenhausen 6-5 on penalties who had defeated Riverside in the group stages.
On the way the boys also beat the eventual winners from Spain (another select side). Keeper Tom Eadie was player of the tournament for the under 19s after saving two penalties in the shoot out.
This was a magnificent experience for all of the players and the club plan on going back next year for another attempt to win the Copa Catlunia.
Last Thursday (June 28) Riverside played FV Rockenhausen in the 3rd/4th place play-off during the Copa Catalunia International Festival in Santa Susanna.
Having already lost to the Germans in the group stages and playing in blistering heat, it was going to take exceptional effort by the players to grab the bronze trophy.
The game started with little to chose between both sides. However Scotland cap Aiden Kemp thought he had give Riverside the lead when his long range effort smacked the German crossbar after five minutes.
For the next 10 minutes the Germans pressed but couldn’t find a way past Ewan Banks and Glen McKarecher in central defence and, as a result, keeper Tom Eadie had little action to contend with.
Riverside then controlled the balance of the first half. HT 0-0
The second half belonged to Riverside. Lewis Hughes almost gave the boys from Scotland the lead on 30minutes only to be denied by some resolute defending by the German defence. Defender Daniel Addison then saw his 20-yard effort brilliantly saved by the FV Rockenhausen keeper. There were no more clear chances during the second period.
The game therefore went to penalties – step forward Tom Eadie! The big keeper brilliantly saved two penalties to leave it for Stewart Blore to seal victory from the spot. The other spot-kick heroes were Jack Wardrope, Daniel Addison, Glen McKarecher and Matt McCleary.
Third place was the least Riverside deserved given they were the only team to take points from the Spanish winners.