A MINI football tournament held on Sunday, July 7, featuring three sides, Crediton Youth Under 16’s, Crediton Youth Coaches and the Friends of Ian Leach, saw three short matches take place, to find the overall winning side.

All three sides made their way to the centre of the pitch, alongside players from the Under Seven’s and Eight’s sides, who were mascots, before a minutes’ applause took place to remember both James Uren and Ian Leach.

The first game saw the Coaches play the Under 16’s. The game started at a frantic pace with both sides creating some good chances.

The coaches went in front when an in-swinging corner drew a superb save from Jordon Jones, only for the ball to eventually fall to Adam Clark to volley into the net.

The second period of the game saw the Under 16’s dominate possession, with some great efforts only to be continually thwarted by the Coaches ‘keeper Ben Pidgeon.

When a horrendous back pass from Adrian Harvey led to much confusion and resulted in a penalty for the Under 16’s, Ben Pidgeon again produced a superb save to deny Under 16’s ‘keeper Jordon Jones his first ever goal for the side.

When a late volley from Charlie Rook hit the side netting it was obvious it was just not going to be their day.

The second game saw the Coaches take on the Friends side. This game was always going to be a tight affair and the Coaches eventually went one up, following a fine move down the right side before Adam Clark again found the back of the net with another fine finish.

With so many players so keen to play, both sides made massive chances going into the second period of the game. Momentum swung to the Friends side and eventually a ball across the face of goal found Adam Pitts to tuck the ball over the line, for the equaliser.

The game looked as if it would finish in a draw, until an aimless ball forward from Jim Southhall caused Lee Waring all sorts of problems, and the ball fell to Andrew “Bunny” Warren to roll the years back, and calmly place the ball into the back of the net, to a huge roar from the crowd to win the game and the tournament for the Coaches side.

The final game saw the Under 16’s play the Friends side. In their final game together the Under 16’s set off at a great pace and created some early opportunities before Samuel Del-Rio, with probably the best goal of the afternoon, put them in front after beating three defenders, and then cooly chipping the ball over the despairing ‘keeper into the goal.

The second period saw the Friends get back into the game and after some pressure they were awarded a penalty. The resulting spot kick from Hayden Leach saw another fine save, with Jordon Jones managing to turn the ball over the bar for a corner.

Minutes later Hayden got his revenge, when the ball fell to him in the box and he neatly curled the ball into the corner of the net. Despite a flurry of late chances from the Under 16’s the game ended in a draw.

All the games were officiated by Dan and Matt Uren who both guested as well for the Coaches side.

Crediton Youth would like to thank everyone who supported the day and helped to make it such a success, especially Crediton United FC, Exeter City FC and Sandford Orchards.

Overall on the day, just over £2,000 was raised for the club’s three chosen charities - Devon Air Ambulance Trust, MIND and Pete’s Dragons in memory of both James and Ian.

Results of the draw were: signed Ethan Ampadu Chelsea shirt - Dennis Cavanagh; signed Adrian - West Ham ‘keeper gloves - Jo Hole; signed Exeter City shirt - Richard Phil’, signed Craig Woodman shirt - Steve Carpenter and Exeter City Match Day Tickets - Josh Poole.