Crusaders, Warriors & Spitfires Combine to Conquer Europe
Cologne Cup, 10th & 11th May 2008
It was a case of 'one for all and all for one' as arch rivals Crusaders, Warriors & Spitfires joined forces to take on a tough trio of German teams. Playing under the Crusaders name, the team of 1st year youth and current peewees travelled across Europe to face Crefelder Skating Bears, SHC Food and hosts HC Koln-West in a well organised and exciting tournament in Cologne, Germany.
First up were SHC Food, who played neat precise hockey but were no match for the team from LESHA. In a comfortable game, Lewis Sexton netted a brace to ensure a good start with the final score 2 – 0. The game was played without any Warriors players as they had decided to visit Paris en route( not intentionally! ). The second game turned out to be a cracking contest with the hosts and favourites, HC Koln–West. Crusaders took the lead through Warrior Jerryl Joseph before Koln-West quickly equalised with both sides creating chances after chances. Eventually advantage was gained through another Warrior, Callan Gayle with a hard low shot which took the keeper by surprise. So with the score at 2-1 the teams went into the 2nd period knowing the next goal could change the game. And it came from the home side after some neat clinical hockey to beat the defence and keeper. 2-2 seemed a fair result as both teams pushed for the winner and what a winner it was! Captain Lewis Sexton picked up the ball from defence and danced his way through the Koln-West players, aided by some excellent movement off the ball from his team-mates, he found himself in front of goal with only the keeper to beat and that he did despatching the ball to the keepers right to make the score 3-2 with 3 seconds left on the clock! The travelling support and neutral fans enjoyed it as much as the players did with sound of horns and whistles. That set the final group game up as the 1st place decider against the unbeaten Skating bears. The game was tight and could of gone either way but fortunately the skill and strength won through with a 2-1 victory after the 2 x 8 min periods were up.
So after a good first day of the tournament, it left the Crusaders facing a semi final against SHC Food the following morning.
With the players raring to go and show the watching support, they started with quick fire goals from another Warrior, William Kouao. This was quickly followed by a slap shot from Jerryl Joseph and another from William Kouao to make the score 3 – 0 before SHC Food scored on the break with a fine finish past the Crusader net minder. It was only a consolation goal as Callan Gayle wrapped the game up with a fine solo run and finish to the top left. Final score 4 – 1 and into the final against the Skating Bears, who beat the hosts in the other semi earlier on. The final was slightly longer at 2 x 13 min periods and it suited the Crusader side as they always looked like scoring with every attack. Both teams continued to threaten and it was only when William Kouao opened the scoring for the Crusaders did the game start to open up with end to end action. By half time the Crusaders were trailing 3-2 after both sides stepped up their game. The large crowd were being entertained with some breathtaking hockey and Callan Gayle did not disappoint when he hit a unstoppable screamer from his own half straight into the top right of the German net, 3 – 3 and game on! Both teams were trying to outwit each other but it was the stronger English side that pulled through with 3 more goals from Jerry Joseph, William Kouao and Spitfires Aaron Jenkins who scored with a fine poachers goal. The Skating Bears pulled 1 back after Spitfires Billy Matthews was red carded but it was too late as the final bell rang to signal the new Cologne Cup winners – Borehamwood Crusaders. Cue celebrations and noise! It was a fantastic weekend and a very high standard of hockey with the team from LESHA deserving the title of champions. Lets hope next year we get the chance to defend the trophy.
STATS
Lewis Sexton ( Crusaders ) 3 + 2 5 pts
Jerry Joseph ( Warriors ) 4 + 1 5 pts
Callan Gayle ( Warriors ) 4 + 1 5 pts
William Kouao ( Warriors ) 3 + 0 3 pts
Aaron Jenkins ( Spitfires ) 1 + 0 1 pt
Montel Vassell ( Warriors ) 0 + 1 1 pt
Harry Lane ( Crusaders ) 0 + 1 1 pt
Many Thanks to Borehamwood Crusaders for inviting the Warriors & Spitfires players to take part.