East Cornwall Schools U14's attend ESFA Isle of Wight Festival

The East Cornwall School FA Under 14's, who are based at East Cornwall Football Development Centre, attended the ESFA 22nd Isle of Wight Festival of Football

Sunday 5th April and 15 keen young players from the East Cornwall area gathered at Bodmin to board the coach heading for the Isle of Wight. The first stop was Home Park, the home of Championship side Plymouth Argyle FC, to pick up the Plymouth Schools FA squad, who were sharing transport to the Festival.

Over 20 school associations gathered at the Little Canada Adventure Park, Ryde for the opening of the annual festival. Cornwall's first game was against a very good and strong Bishop Auckland. Unfortunetly, a poor defensive performance from the young Cornwall boys eventaully meant that they lost their first game 3-0.

The second game of the festival proved to be a great success, with Cornwall notching their first victory of the festival with a fine 5-0 win over Spen Valley. This game proved a great one for strike Tom Ellacott (Launceston Colege) who scored four of the teams five goals. With the young lads now facing their 3rd game in as many days, the honour of playing on the island's main football stadium was a great way to motivate tired mind and bodies. The game against Gravesham, which was played at Newport IOW stadium, was a great specticle for all, and Cornwall managed to hold onto a slender lead and win the game 2-1. Once again both goals being scored by Tom Ellacott.

The final game of the festival was played on the morning of departure and tiredness and poor defensive marking from set pieces finally undone this very talented Cornwall team with a 4-3 loss to Derby.

Although it is always nice to win, the Isle of Wight festival is more about allowing the young players to develop both on and off the pitch. The Little Canada Adventure Park, where the team was based was a great facility to help the players develop team spirit, friendship and team work, and all the boys took part in activities such as quad biking, climbing, swimming, aeroball and zip wire.

Manager Grant Russell (Bodmin College) can be proud of all the players and especially their outstanding conduct both and off the pitch throughout the week. Lee Hazledine and Alan Yendell (both Callington Community College), did a great job in supporting all the players and helping out when Grant was unavailable throughout the week. A special mention must go to the parents who travelled to the island to support their children and the team.