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Pro Direct Festival of Football 2018 Round-Up

August bank holiday saw Devon FA host the annual Pro-Direct Festival of Football, with 30 teams and over 300 players participating.

Over the course of the weekend, money was raised for Devon FA’s new charity partner, Moorvision. All proceeds from the weekend were donated, totalling just over £500.

A big thank you to Pro:Direct, who worked in partnership with Devon FA for this year’s event, to generously donate some footballs which were used as part of a giveaway to every team who entered the festival.

The festival kicked off on Saturday 25th August with the Under 11 competition.

Six teams entered the tournament and all faced off against each other, with the top four teams progressing to the knock-out round. Saints Southwest finished top of the group and played against Fremington in semi-final, defeating them 2-0. In the other semi-final Newton Abbot Spurs edged past Elburton with a 1-0 victory.

Well done to AFC Plympton and Plymouth Marjon who were the other teams who took part in this category. The final saw a very close affair between Newton Abbot Spurs and Saints Southwest, but it was Saints who claimed the trophy with a wonder goal worthy of winning any final!

The Under 12 competition on Saturday afternoon followed the same format, but with five teams competing to win the Festival of Football trophy. Saints Southwest once again claimed the top spot in the group stage, with WBB qualifying as runners up.

Plymouth Kolts finished the group in third and there was penalty drama for the final qualification spot, as fourth placed was clinched by Drake FC defeating SB Frankfort after both sides ended with identical records.

Saints SW beat Drake 3-0 and WBB won 1-0 against Plymouth Kolts in the two semi-finals. The final of the Under 12 competition was very close; both sides had chances to win the game, but couldn’t convert so the game had to be decided on penalties. Saints Southwest were the winners of the penalty shoot-out, pipping WBB to the Under 12 title.

After glorious sunshine on Saturday, it would have been a huge understatement to say that Sunday’s weather was the opposite end of the spectrum. Despite the persistent rain throughout the day, both competitions went ahead and were a huge success.

The Under 9 category took place in the morning, with a total of eight teams participating.

They were split into two groups, with all teams qualifying for the Quarter-Finals. Shamwickshire Rovers finished top of their group and were victorious against Drake in their quarter-final fixture. The other quarter finals saw Select FC beat WBB, Stoke Gabriel won against Heavitree and Saints Southwest defeated Plymouth Kolts after winning the other group.

Shamwickshire Rovers and Saints SW progressed to the final following two close semi-finals, and the final itself was another tight affair with Saints Southwest edging past Shamwickshire Rovers with a 1-0 win.

The rain persisted into the afternoon’s Under 10 spirits, but it failed to dampen the spirits of the players as 11 teams took part. Just like the Under 9 competition in the morning, the teams were split into two groups with the top four from each progressing to the knock-out phase.

Saints SW beat Tavistock Tinners 2-0 in the first quarter final; MAP won 1-0 against Select, Group B winners Shamwickshire Rovers clinched a 4-0 win and Fusion defeated Exeter Panthers 2-0.

In the semi-finals Fusion saw off a strong Saints team, with Shamwickshire Rovers qualifying for the final after beating MAP.

It was a fantastic and entertaining final of the Under 10 competition; Shamwickshire Rovers clinched the trophy with a 2-0 victory.

Massive well done, to all 30 teams who competed in the Pro-Direct Festival of Football.

Also, a huge thank you to all of the volunteers and officials who worked hard over the weekend to ensure that the event was a success.

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