Ref. BL235-26YOUTH FOOTBALL: YOUNG rivals battled through more than 900 games for a host of trophies at the Trowbridge Wanderers six-a-side tournament but not a single red or yellow card was brandished.

That was the single biggest thrill for organiser Chris Moore, who is chairman of the Wanderers.

"I think that says a lot for the quality of the games and the spirit they were played in,'' said Moore.

"It is also a testament to the referees we had for the weekend. Some of them were at their first tournament and the standard was very high. They just got better and better as the weekend went on.''

This was the eighth tournament the club has organised and like many others of a similar size, the cash generated will be vital to help keep more than 20 teams running through the season.

"We need to find £26,000 a year just to keep thing at the level they are now,'' said Moore. "With so many teams and such a demand it is really important to keep the funding coming in.''

The event was six months in the planning and kept an army of more than 50 volunteers busy from late on Friday night to Sunday evening at John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge.

Said Moore: "We had tremendous support from the volunteers with marking out the pitches, selling sweets and drinks and running to and fro with the scores. It was a great effort from the boys' parents and club helpers.

"We also had he help of St John Ambulance and the Wiltshire FA.

"If it was not for any of them the weekend would not have been possible.''

Teams from across the county, as well as Bristol, Somerset and Gloucestershire were invited to take part.

The response was the biggest the organisers have had so far.

"Usually we have six pitches marked out but this team we had to have eight and they were in use all the time. That meant we had to have extra referees and linesmen as well,'' said Moore.

Those who travelled and those who worked so hard were rewarded with a weekend of glorious weather and some entertaining games.

Said Moore: "The standard was really high and that was very pleasing.

"It is so rewarding to see the tiny U7s right through to the strapping U15s all playing football.

"To have no cards and only three injuries was really impressive too. The final game was really entertaining and summed the whole weekend up for me.

"Trowbridge Wanderers beat Melksham Park 2-1 with a golden goal.

"The Melksham keeper made some really excellent saves and it was so close. It was a fitting way to end the tournament.'

"I'd like to thank everyone who helped over the weekend from the scorers to the referees, it was a huge success.''