TUBBRITT.NET

March 3, 2003

Villa Under 15's Visit Blackpool FC

The Villa under 15 set off for Blackpool last Friday to train with and play against the Blackpool Under 15 team. The weekend was to confirm a link between the Seasiders and the Villa. This link has took about six months to put in place so finally it was nice to see Villa cross the Irish Sea to meet our new friends.

The journey started at 6.30am from Connors Park. We set off to Dun Laoghaire to catch the ferry and travel up to Blackpool. Destination was reached at 5.30pm and we all settled into the Hotel where we we made most welcome. After meeting the Head of the Youth Academy it was time for some grub before going to the local 10 pin Bowling Alley. Time for bed now after a long day.

Saturday morning was another early start as we had Breakfast at 8am. Training with the Blackpool under 15 would start at 10.30 in their all weather training ground. (PIC. Left we set off.)

The Blackpool coaches gave us a great welcome when we arrived to show them how to play football. A very interesting session was taken by their coaches in which all our players impressed the coaching staff with their skill and aptitude for the session.
Next we set off to Bloomfield Road as special guests of Blackpool FC and were shown into the VIP area where we received a pre match meal and and had an area in the Executive boxes set out for us to watch the match which proved to be a very good win for the Seasiders. After the match the players and Chairman of the the club came up to meet us THE FAMOUS VILLA FC.
(Right Colin Hendry meets the young Villa talent)

Dinner was served in the Hotel at 6.30pm and then a trip to watch I mean be frightened, very frightened at Final Destination 2. Fitzy was definitely next. Sunday was the day we all were waiting for the big match against Blackpool Under 15's. Kick off was at 10.30am and the pitch was like a golf green. Nerves played a play for the first 5 minutes but for a brilliant save by Dela we would have found ourselves one down. After this we created the better chances of the half and were unlucky not to be at least one up going into the interval.
(Left Villa and Blackpool players unite)

The second half saw come into our own and an opportunist goal from David Collins gave us the lead. Then Glenn O'Neill was put through by Stephen Power and made no mistake placing the ball past the keeper. Blackpool push on to us after this and with 10 minutes left they scored but this was to be their only chance in the whole of the second half as we dominated the match again. A 2-1 win against a full time Nationwide League club.

The journey home was a pleasant one. The DVD player on the bus helped pass away the long journey and the singing on the bus was off very high standard indeed. Well done to all those who have started a great relationship between Ourselves and the Seasiders.