South Reading Vixens - Tenby Tour 2004

	South Reading Vixens Girls Football in South Reading
	Manchester 2006 – What an experience!! 25th - 29th July 2006 It was July 26th a scorching summer’s day when 40 plus parents and players left Reading for Manchester to compete in what is the United Kingdoms largest football summer festival, The Umbro International Cup. This was the second experience of this event for the Vixens but a first for many of this year’s attendees. On the Monday of the same week we were lucky enough to obtain the services of Kirsty for the forthcoming season and by the Tuesday she was also coming on tour after much deliberation from her pensive parents. The squad was primed and fit from the many summer tournaments. It was also made up of a number of new faces. Sarah had returned to more familiar surroundings, Vicky had signed from Reading Girls, Kirsty had joined from Wey Valley, Olivia had only joined the club mid season from Winnersh Rangers, Amy was added in from Tilehurst, and Lauren Bird flew in from Theale. We arrived at The Britannia Airport Hotel in Manchester at around 3pm in 90 + degrees to be greeted by a hotel with a tin roof and no air conditioning, but at £75 full board for four days who could complain. There was a decent bar and two pool tables for entertainment but little else, and a lift that worked when it felt like it. The hotel could be likened to Fawlty Towers, but did we care? Not really so long as the beer was cold. Our first evening was full of anticipation for the next day, which would stage our first two games against Portsmouth and Kent Schools. We enjoyed a quiz show hosted by Sean, a private buffet and plenty of beer and joviality. A great night was had by all. The morning came, breakfast was basic but adequate and at 11am we met in reception as ready as we could be, new kit and all to go to the arena. The temperature felt like it was in excess of 100 degrees and with the sun burning down, we set off. The journey was short, probably about 3 miles and we were ready to do battle. Knowing that we needed to probably win all of our four group games to qualify, we kicked off against Portsmouth and enjoyed a 2-0 victory. One hurdle was overcome but we knew that our next game was going to be tough. Kent Schools arrived and this being their first game of the day probably gave them an advantage bearing in mind the conditions. The second game passed away without any real excitement and, a 1-0 reverse score line which was in essence the only chance in the entire game. At the end of the day one win and one defeat meant that the girls had to win their last two games to have any chance of qualifying for the semi finals. The evening was spent by the bar discussing the performances of the day some of the discussions were more vocal than others, but as they say ' that’s football'. Everybody had an early night in preparation for our game against Costa Mesa Spirit (from the USA). The morning arrived again in scorching heat and with our game kicking off in the afternoon we enjoyed a trip to the bowling alley which was air conditioned 'thank god'. Julia showed how useful she was at ten pin bowling (even though her feet kept crossing the line 'yes Julia we have a photograph to prove it') and with the girls relaxed we headed back to the hotel. Our game in the afternoon was a tense affair but an open game. The girls dominated the first half taking a 2-0 lead into half time courtesy of Deanna (2). The Americans did pull a goal back late on and threw the kitchen sink at the Vixens, but holding firm the team did go on to earn a 2-1 win. In the evening we enjoyed a trip to the cinema and a night ride around Old Trafford (we got lost on the way back to the hotel). So to Friday and our final group game against Newcastle United, a must win game. The opposition really did look the part, warming up in the famous black and white strips and we knew that the game was going to be tough and tough it was. The Geordies took an early lead and making all of the running it really looked like the Umbro dream was coming to an end until early in the second half, when following some sustained pressure, Deanna scored an equalizer. With the score at 1-1 and the game looking like it could go either way the Vixens won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Up stepped Sarah, and like David Beckham did in the World Cup qualifying game against Greece, she powered the ball into the top corner of the net to make it 2-1. Manager Andrew launched into his accustomed celebratory charge down the line and with only five minutes remaining the vixens held on to make it to the semi finals the following day. In the evening we enjoyed celebrations and a parents v players football match in the park behind the hotel until the sun went down. Saturday came and the anticipation of what we were about to face from the mighty Manchester City. Clearly favorites to win the competition the Citizens were well drilled and big (some of them looked at least 6ft tall). We were beaten and probably quite easily although they scored two of their goals in the last five minutes. Our adventure ended with a semi final place and our heads held high. Manchester City went on to win the competition against a very strong Irish team, Salthill Devon, so at least we can say that we went out to the eventual winners. Gradually we all made our way back to the M6 for the long journey home, the great adventure was over. Tour Photos Match results: v Portsmouth University 2-0 (Kirsty, Chloe) v Kent Schools 0-1 v Costa Mesa Spirit 2-1 (Deanna 2) v Newcastle United 2-1 (Deanna, Sarah) v Manchester City 0-4 Squad: Honor, Harriett, Charlotte, Olivia, Amy, Amber, Lauren, Siobhan, Sarah, Jade, Vicky, Hannah, Alice, Chloe, Kirsty, Deanna Thanks must go to the following people: Paula for helping with first aid! David for his fantastic photography and memories of such a special trip! Sean for making us laugh and his skills as a quiz master! Debra for organizing the whole thing! Trevor for helping with the coaching! Sean and Larry for coaching the goalkeepers! Mina for her dietary skills! Julia for policing the hotel corridors! Back to Annual Tours
	Email us at vixens@vixens-fc.co.uk

Manchester 2006 – What an experience!!

25th - 29th July 2006

It was July 26th a scorching summer’s day when 40 plus parents and players left Reading for Manchester to compete in what is the United Kingdoms largest football summer festival, The Umbro International Cup.

This was the second experience of this event for the Vixens but a first for many of this year’s attendees. On the Monday of the same week we were lucky enough to obtain the services of Kirsty for the forthcoming season and by the Tuesday she was also coming on tour after much deliberation from her pensive parents. The squad was primed and fit from the many summer tournaments. It was also made up of a number of new faces.

Sarah had returned to more familiar surroundings, Vicky had signed from Reading Girls, Kirsty had joined from Wey Valley, Olivia had only joined the club mid season from Winnersh Rangers, Amy was added in from Tilehurst, and Lauren Bird flew in from Theale.

We arrived at The Britannia Airport Hotel in Manchester at around 3pm in 90 + degrees to be greeted by a hotel with a tin roof and no air conditioning, but at £75 full board for four days who could complain. There was a decent bar and two pool tables for entertainment but little else, and a lift that worked when it felt like it. The hotel could be likened to Fawlty Towers, but did we care? Not really so long as the beer was cold.

Our first evening was full of anticipation for the next day, which would stage our first two games against Portsmouth and Kent Schools. We enjoyed a quiz show hosted by Sean, a private buffet and plenty of beer and joviality. A great night was had by all.

The morning came, breakfast was basic but adequate and at 11am we met in reception as ready as we could be, new kit and all to go to the arena. The temperature felt like it was in excess of 100 degrees and with the sun burning down, we set off.

The journey was short, probably about 3 miles and we were ready to do battle. Knowing that we needed to probably win all of our four group games to qualify, we kicked off against Portsmouth and enjoyed a 2-0 victory. One hurdle was overcome but we knew that our next game was going to be tough. Kent Schools arrived and this being their first game of the day probably gave them an advantage bearing in mind the conditions.

The second game passed away without any real excitement and, a 1-0 reverse score line which was in essence the only chance in the entire game. At the end of the day one win and one defeat meant that the girls had to win their last two games to have any chance of qualifying for the semi finals.

The evening was spent by the bar discussing the performances of the day some of the discussions were more vocal than others, but as they say ' that’s football'. Everybody had an early night in preparation for our game against Costa Mesa Spirit (from the USA).

The morning arrived again in scorching heat and with our game kicking off in the afternoon we enjoyed a trip to the bowling alley which was air conditioned 'thank god'. Julia showed how useful she was at ten pin bowling (even though her feet kept crossing the line 'yes Julia we have a photograph to prove it') and with the girls relaxed we headed back to the hotel.

Our game in the afternoon was a tense affair but an open game. The girls dominated the first half taking a 2-0 lead into half time courtesy of Deanna (2). The Americans did pull a goal back late on and threw the kitchen sink at the Vixens, but holding firm the team did go on to earn a 2-1 win.

In the evening we enjoyed a trip to the cinema and a night ride around Old Trafford (we got lost on the way back to the hotel).

So to Friday and our final group game against Newcastle United, a must win game. The opposition really did look the part, warming up in the famous black and white strips and we knew that the game was going to be tough and tough it was. The Geordies took an early lead and making all of the running it really looked like the Umbro dream was coming to an end until early in the second half, when following some sustained pressure, Deanna scored an equalizer.

With the score at 1-1 and the game looking like it could go either way the Vixens won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Up stepped Sarah, and like David Beckham did in the World Cup qualifying game against Greece, she powered the ball into the top corner of the net to make it 2-1. Manager Andrew launched into his accustomed celebratory charge down the line and with only five minutes remaining the vixens held on to make it to the semi finals the following day.

In the evening we enjoyed celebrations and a parents v players football match in the park behind the hotel until the sun went down.

Saturday came and the anticipation of what we were about to face from the mighty Manchester City. Clearly favorites to win the competition the Citizens were well drilled and big (some of them looked at least 6ft tall). We were beaten and probably quite easily although they scored two of their goals in the last five minutes. Our adventure ended with a semi final place and our heads held high. Manchester City went on to win the competition against a very strong Irish team, Salthill Devon, so at least we can say that we went out to the eventual winners.

Gradually we all made our way back to the M6 for the long journey home, the great adventure was over.

Tour Photos

Match results:
v Portsmouth University 2-0 (Kirsty, Chloe)
v Kent Schools 0-1
v Costa Mesa Spirit 2-1 (Deanna 2)
v Newcastle United 2-1 (Deanna, Sarah)
v Manchester City 0-4

Squad: Honor, Harriett, Charlotte, Olivia, Amy, Amber, Lauren, Siobhan, Sarah, Jade, Vicky, Hannah, Alice, Chloe, Kirsty, Deanna

Thanks must go to the following people:

Paula for helping with first aid!

David for his fantastic photography and memories of such a special trip!

Sean for making us laugh and his skills as a quiz master!

Debra for organizing the whole thing!

Trevor for helping with the coaching!

Sean and Larry for coaching the goalkeepers!

Mina for her dietary skills!

Julia for policing the hotel corridors!

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