Stonehaven take the honours in 17's tournament.

Congratulations to Stonehaven who won the NRGFL Indoor 5's 17's Tournament in an afternoon of drama at the Beach Leisure Centre.

12 teams took part in the annual event, and these were split into 2 groups of 5, favourites going into the tournament were the teams from Dundee, Aberdeen and Buchan, but East End Hurricane's first team and Stonehaven had something to say about that, with East End winning their group and Stonehaven taking maximum points until their final group game against Dundee West.  The group stages proved to be an exciting affair with Group B going to the final group of games with still 4 teams possibly qualifying for the semi-finals.

In group A - Stonehaven dominated the early rounds, winning all of their first 4 games, and qualified with a game to spare, that left Dundee West 'A' and Buchan Youth battling for the final qualification spot.  Dundee were in the driving seat, as they already had the 3 point advantage, and a better goal average and all Buchan could do was win their last game which they did 3-0, and all they could do was hope that Stonehaven kept up their good record and inflict a heavy defeat against the Tournament favourites.  It wasnt to be however and Dundee came out comfortable 4-1 winners over Stonehaven and take top spot in the league and be rewarded with a semi-final tie against the team finishing second in Group B.

In Group B it was drama till the final kick of the ball, Aberdeen FC Girls were probably the favourites to qualify from this group, but they didnt get it all their own way, and a last kick of the ball equaliser from the half way line kept Aberdeen in the tournament against Buchan Youth, and left them needing to win their last game against Glendale and hope that Dundee Weat 'B' could beat Buchan Youth narrowly or both teams finish in a draw.  East End Hurricane quietly went about their business, recording narrow victories against  Glendale, Jodies Butter Factory, and Dundee West to clinch top spot.  Aberdeen beat Glendale 5-0 in the final game to leave themselves having to watch a nail biting finale between Buchan and Dundee to hope the correct result for them came through.  Dundee defended resolutely, knowing a narrow victory wasnt enough and would have to score at least 5 goals against Buchan to leapfrog Aberdeen, Buchan however just needed the 3 points, but both sides cancelled each other out and the loudest roar came from the Aberdeen camp when the final whistle was blown with the score still at 0-0.  Aberdeen would now face Dundee West 'A' in the semi final, while East End Hurricane would play Stonehaven in the other semi final.

Aberdeen took an early 2 goal lead against Dundee West in the first of the semi finals, when a controversial penalty was awarded to Dundee who gladly took advantage to take themselves back in the game.  With about a minute left, a superb drive from just outside the box took Dundee level and the game went into extra time.  Both sides continued to cancel each other out and the top two teams of the NRGFL league fought out an extremely physical encounter, and it was going to be either a touch of magic or a costly mistake that would prevent this game going into penalties.  Unfortunately for Aberdeen it was the latter, as a seemingly harmless ball trickled past the Aberdeen Goalkeeper with only seconds left to put Dundee into the final.

In the other semi-final East End and Stonehaven had another tough encounter, which finished 1-1, extra time still couldn't separate the sides, and so it went to penalties.  With both sides missing one penalty each from the regulation 3, it went to sudden death.  East End who did so well throughout the tournament were the ones left in tears as the first mistake came from their camp, and so Stonehaven would meet the only team to defeat them in the tournament so far, Dundee West.

There was nothing much to give in the final as Stonehaven and Dundee cancelled each other out, however 2 defensive errors proved to be the difference, as Stonehaven won with 2 penalties.  The first one, the Dundee keeper whilst still standing inside her box had picked up the ball, while the ball was outside the box, initially the referee had given a free kick from that position to Dundee, but in the ensuing confusion, a penalty was then awarded, the correct decision, but the confusion didn't help ease the moods from the Dundee Camp.  A second penalty was awarded after a Dundee defender entered the goal area.  Both penalties were converted, and Dundee was left with an uphill struggle, and although they saw a lot of possession they couldn't break down a determined Stonehaven defence.  Dundee did have a penalty claim, when the Stonehaven keeper threw the ball out over-arm, these claims were backed up as they had received a penalty in the semi final for a similar offence, however 2 wrongs don't make a right, and an indirect free kick was awarded.  Stonehaven hung on to clinch the win, and were deservedly crowned as Indoor 5's champions for 2007.  Congratulations to Stonehaven.

Photos of this event will follow - pending approval from necessary clubs.

You will be able to find photos at the bottom of page for teams that have already approved.

The Results