Beverley’s Keiran Franciosy blossomed at a football tournament hosted by Hedon Road Football Club. Keiran of St Nicholas Primary School, Beverley players for the U10’s Westella & Willerby football team.
There were eight teams per group, two groups, top 2 only to through to SF. Keiran’s Westella team won their group, got to final, and lost on penalties to Sutton FC. Keiran hit six goals and had three assists. He also scored the equalizer in final to take it to a penalty shootout.
The first match was against Burton Pidsea, on Westella were facing a huge head wind. Keiran scored two goals, and set up a third before Westella went on to take the match 4-0 and started their campaign in style. Keiran scored another 2 goals in the second match against Withernsea in which Westella won 3-0. A great start to a tournament from the team and 4 in 2 games for Keiran.
The third game was a real challenge with both sides failing to create any clear chances on goal. Keiran came on in the match having been rested by the manager and set up what would be the winning goal and Willerby’s third straight win as they won 1-0 against Driffield Dragons.
The fourth game was against a good Hessle Sporting side, and for the first time in the tournament Willerby was behind with minutes to go. What followed next was jaw dropping, Marco Van Basten scored from an acute angle many years ago this was a hundred times harder and better, Keiran took a corner, it was cleared but deflected straight back to him coming very high in the air, he was just coming back from taking the corner and about eight feet from the corner flag he volleyed in, beating the skill of Van Basten, they all said it on the touchline, quoting “you won’t see a better goal than that all day.” The goal earned Willerby a point, and they remained on course for the Semi Finals.
The fith game was a tough one as they faced a Group 1 side which was very good with the ball, and at times showed Westella they have a lot to learn next season when they play in Group 1 for the first time. Mill Lane Wizards scored the only goal of the game with a wicked deflected shot; Mill Lane United later went on to qualify for the Semi Final behind Westella, but it meant a first loss for Westella.
Westella re-grouped winning the 6th and 7th games 2-0 and 2-1 to book their place in the Semi Final as group winners. After 7 matches and a long day, it was now down to who wanted it the most, who had the legs to go another round. Westella faced the other Mill Lane United side that had two teams in the Semis; Westella rode their luck, and Keiran bagged the goal that took them to the final.
The final was against FC Sutton, who like Westella had 2 back to back promotions, and are regarded as a Group 1 top four side. They were unbeaten in this tournament scoring with such ease; they topped all the scoring charts; it seemed on paper; they would walk the final too. The final was close with FC Sutton grabbed the early lead and with the writing on the wall, it looked grim. Westella though had a rare attack and was given a free kick just outside the box. FC Sutton expected a power shot to come in from young Edward; this didn’t happen; Edward laid it across goal to an unmarked Keiran, who smashed the net open to level the match 1-1.
The game then went into extra time and penalties. It could not have been closer and with nerves on end, I struggled to keep calm. Penalty after penalty went in; it was 3-3, Keiran already scoring his.
Westella’s fourth kick was just saved on the line, and FC Sutton scored to take the title, leaving Westella to reflect on a good days work and what might have been. However, they can take heart that they won a tournament last weekend and got to another final this weekend along with 3 successive promotions from group 4 all the way to group 1 next season. All in all, it was a great day for the lads and a lot can be taken from it into the next tournament.
On a personal note, I have never been more proud as a dad than today. Win or lose Kieran deserved his day, and long may this success continue.
Reported by Simon Evans
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