Staff - Luke Hobbs (Team Manager), Ricky Duncan (Head of Youth), Bill Garner (Coach), Ben Clarkson (Physio).

Squad - Matthew Powley, Nathan Simpson, Teddy Nesbitt, Duran Reynolds, Kieron Harris, Ade Osifuwa, Julian Okai, Justin Hazell, James Stevens, Merrick James Lewis, Kyle Asante, Harry Crawford, Joe Sheldon, Micheal Ngoo.

Tour Diary:

Friday 21^st March:

We departed Roots Hall at 3pm and headed for Folkestone where unfortunately due to the bank holiday we were delayed by three hours. This was not a perfect start to the trip and certainly did not help our preparation. We arrived at our guest house at 23.30 hours French time and went straight to bed.

Saturday 22^nd March:

I spoke to the team about mental toughness and dealing with variables that they may not be used to. But in order to be successful whilst we were out here we would have to accept and overcome the following factors - poor weather conditions, playing on a 3^rd generation asroturf pitch, food, being away from your home environment, length of games 2x20 minutes, standard of referees, style of play in opposing teams (we were about to play French, Danish and Swedish opposition in the next three days all playing different systems and styles).

This is why we take our boys away, as they are tested so much in so many ways and this tour was no different.

Game 1: Southend United 1 - 1 FC Cogilin

In game one we started with a 4-4-2 formation AND started the stronger team with Justin Hazell putting us one-nil up. The team from the south of France then equalised just before the break with a deflected free kick.

We continued to pepper the opposing team's goal for the entire second half, but the French team simply parked a bus in front of their goal. All drawn group games in this tournament go to a penalty shoot out and this game was no different. We lost the shoot out 3-1, which meant we finished day one on two points with Copenhagen on four and Cogilin on three.

That evening, we had a long team meeting when we knew that we had to win both group games on Sunday to qualify for the final.

Sunday 23^rd March:

Game 2: Southend United 7 - 0 FC  Copenhagen

Due to an injury in the camp and yesterday's lack of goals, we opted to go for a 4-3-3 formation, which was worked on prior to the game. A fantastic performance with goals from Harry Crawford (2), Kyle Asante (2) Michael Ngoo, Teddy Nesbitt and Justin Hazell meant that we had to win our final game to qualify.

Game 3: Southend United 2 - 1 Le Portel

After a period of uncertainty over the games go-ahead, it was finally decided by the tournament officials that the game must take place - much to the annoyance of the match officials. The game was played on the astro pitch in difficult conditions. The scores were level at half time and the team came in very frustrated. My instructions were quite simply - "Just go out and play your football. Relax boys and your chance will come". Within five minutes Teddy Nesbitt delivered a cross from the left wing that Harry Crawford scored from. Our second goal was identical. The home team scored a late offside goal from a corner, which proved only to be a consolation.

It was important that evening to take the boys out of the environment and because of this we went for a pizza in Bologne town centre.

Monday 24^th March

Final v AIK Stockholm. 2-0 Win

After a relaxing morning, we met the boys one hour before kick-off discussing the tactics and shape that AIK had played in their previous game and how our tactics would counteract theirs. The game went to plan. Man of the match was Merrick James Lewis. He scored the opening goal before Kyle Asante got the second from another Nesbitt cross.

The boys passed every test and obstacle the weekend had thrown at them. We have some very exciting boys in this age group, many of whom you will see in next year's youth team.

Luke Hobbs
Centre of Excellence Manager