St Cadoc’s do Scotland proud with trophy at Holland’s Nevelo tournament

The club was Scotland’s sole representatives at the continental competition and sent two teams from the 2009 and 2010 age groups.

The Rovers squad from the 2010s category faced some tough opposition and matches against teams from Belgium, France, Holland and Denmark but earned some great memories for the players and their families and gained experience against European sides, showing an excellent team spirit throughout. They were edged out 2-1 in their final to a strong team from France.

Their fellow St Cadoc’s players in the Reds team came agonisingly close to winning after a great tournament, but still lifted a trophy – eventually finishing fourth.

Starting with three wins from four goalkeeper, Liam O’Malley helped keep Dusseldorf’s Lohausener Sport Verein out in a 2-1 win with goals from Evan Baxter and Gabriel Anderson adding to wins over Jong Brabant and SC Olve from Belgium.

The Reds then faced the winning club Amager from Denmark in the group stages and drew 1-1 before progressing to the latter stages of the tournament.

They had a goal disallowed in the semi-final against VV Trinitas Oisterwijk from Holland and it proved pivotal as they were edged out 1-0 by the tournament runners-up.

That placed the Reds in the third place play-off and after overcoming the semi-final disappointment they battled back from 2-0 down to secure a 4-4 draw and take the game to penalties with the final shot of the the game.

However Ledoje Smorum from Denmark took third place in the shoot-out.

In the 2009 group St Cadoc’s Caledonian took their first point of the tournament when Josh Collins converted Aiden Roarty’s cross with the last touch of their second game, having lost to Taxandria of Holland in their opener. Caley’s third game was a one sided affair against an excellent FC Lambersart (France) but Sam Timmons scored a very good long range consolation goal, which left them needing two wins for a play-off place.

Goals from Kai Donaghy and Edward Smith plus top defending by Zak Ryan and great midfield play and goal from Rocco O’Toole sent them through, but like the Reds they were edged out on penalties despite Mac Verdinelli saving three of the five he faced.

St Cadoc’s Athletic arrived in Holland on the back of a strong run of form, unfortunately, it didn’t continue in Eindhoven.

Despite them dominating the opening match SC Zand ran out 5-4 winners.

Matches two and three did not go to plan as Athletic lost 4-2 to German side FV 06 Sprendlingen and then 4-1 to Belgian side DJFS.

They rallied after lunch and Jonny Orr’s goal gave them a 1-1 draw with English side Ashville Athletic. Hosts SV Nevelo were next and despite taking the lead twice after goals from Connor Sweeney and Aston Brady another late equaliser denied them a win.

It came though, and then some. A 8-0 victory against SV Schwafheim included a hat-trick for Daniel Eardley and a double from Aston Brady before a second meeting with Nevelo and Athletic produced a stunning performance with a hat-trick each for Connor Sweeney and Rory Kelly plus one for defender Cole Bruce.