Last Thursday PBA took part in the annual SPA ‘Jumpers for Goalposts’ 5-a-side tournament in Southampton.
Last Thursday PBA took part in the annual SPA ‘Jumpers for Goalposts’ 5-a-side tournament in Southampton, with our squad benefitting from youth and experience including Chris Knight of HGP Architects and Phil Deacon of Deacon Design. PBA were looking to improve on their semi-final exit last year and with some new signings and a strengthened team it was looking positive after a 3-1 win in the first game. PBA continued in the group stages with much of the crowd drawing comparisons with Tottenham Hotspur as they slumped to back to back defeats on the Wembley pitch, but unlike Spurs we made it through to the knockout stage of the plate after a 3-2 victory in the last group game thanks to some heroic goalkeeping.
PBA fought out a tight semi-final against good opposition however some strong defensive work ensured a 2-1 victory was enough to send PBA through to the final and go one step further in the competition than the previous year. PBA fought hard in a very competitive final adapting their play to long ball tactics as they tired. The PBA goal was finally breached as they exited the competition thanks to a 5-2 defeat, and the team headed back to the bar to refresh themselves with a well-earned beer or two.
The only mixed-sex team of the competition collected their runners-up medals and reflected on what had been an excellent afternoon hosted by the SPA. There was also a special mention for PBA’s Shannon Betteridge who won the player of the tournament trophy thanks to her outstanding performance in goal. The PBA team will be back again next year to try and take home some silverware to add to the trophy cabinet.