ON the opening weekend of the new Soccabox centre in Crawley, East 
Court FC were triumphant in Sunday's (May 25) tournament, winning all 
their games on the way to the title.

The first game was a nervy affair an after going 1-0 up, ECFC found 
themselves 2-1 down but goals from Kelly and Denyer gave ECFC a 4-2 
lead before the other team scored with a header (the only one of the 
tournament) and the match finished 4-3.

ECFC were beter in their second match and again went ahead. Then Paul 
Bishop was late diving to his right and conceded an equaliser.
But ECFC then went on the rampage with five goals from Kelly and a 
couple from Denyer giving ECFC an impressive 8-2 win.

The third game was against the Mavericks, East Grinstead's other 
representatives in the competition who creditably made it through to 
the semi's. ECFC stormed into a 3-0 lead but suddenly found 
themselves being pegged back when the Mavericks scored twice in a 
minute. It was left to Kelly to score the decisive fourth and ECFC 
wrapped up a 4-2 victory.

Another tough game followed against the team who came the closest to 
having a player sent off in the game beforehand - and the player he 
argued with was allegedly his cousin.
ECFC emerged 3-2 winners and with it a place in the semi's.

The last group game was another empathic victory - 6-1.
It will be remembered for Si's volley in the top corner for goal 
number 5 and Bish's Seaman style save against Sheffield United 
(albeit in a smaller goal) to prevent Nipps scoring in his own net. 
With the final whistle beckoning the opposition scored an own goal 
from the kick off.

In the semi ECFC fell a goal behind but two magical strikes from 
Denyer, the second after beating two players and shooting in the top 
corner, gave ECFC a place in the final.

The final against Crawley Lighting, ECFC took the lead in dubious 
circumstances after Denyer allegedly went in the box before passing 
to Ross who hammered home - but the goal stood.
Lighting equalised and the game looked to be heading for a sudden 
death penalty shoot out until Denyer popped up again twice in the 
final few minutes to win the game and the tournament for ECFC.

Other highlights were:
In the second game in our group one of the players ran off the pitch 
and was sick outside - too much Ribena as Si said.
Martyn managing to blast the ball through the protective netting off 
the children's protective play equipment barrier and on to the top of 
the net - we had to wait a couple of minutes for another ball.
Ross blasting the ball off keeper's face in the fourth match - it was 
that team's second keeper to get injured in the tournament.
And Keano's goal for the Mavericks and the celebration which followed 
it - magic.