A big part of the reboot process of the GFA Aztech Academy was to start getting some of the older Academy age groups travelling off island again.
Through the established Guernsey FC connection with Bristol City, we were able to arrange some matches for our U13 and U14 age groups against Bristol City Academy sides over the Easter holidays.
U14s
The U14s were the first group to head over to Bristol for their ‘away day’ experience. After a coach from Gatwick to their hotel in Bristol, they headed to the Robins High Performance Centre to take on the Bristol Academy U13 side.
Despite strong winds and rain, the match went ahead with a high standard of football looking to be played by both sides. Bristol took a lead as early as the first minute with a penalty, but Guernsey soon grew into the game, equalising after some fantastic play down the right wing.
The match went to half time at 0-0 with both sides showing the capability to go on and win it. Bristol continued to play with patience and quality, and eventually capitalised on a defensive error to take the lead again. Yet the Guernsey group refused to be fazed, and equalised once again, this time with some good play from the left-hand side.
The next goal was key and a defence splitting through ball allowed Bristol to restore their lead. And five minutes later, a long-range strike beat the keeper to give Bristol a two-goal cushion. This being arguably a little harsh on a Guernsey side who had been threatening to take the lead themselves.
Guernsey once again bounced back by continuing to play their own brand of attractive football. Switching play and using their pace down the wings once again gave them the chance to score to reduce the deficit to one. Tail ups, Guernsey pushed for another, but unfortunately time was not on their side. The match finished 4-3 to Bristol, but the experience gained by the Guernsey players, playing against such a well drilled side, was invaluable.
The following day, the boys got another chance to get out on the training field, this time sharing the pitch with the U21 Bristol side, including ex-Guernsey FC player Jack Griffin. They also headed to Ashton Gate to watch the Bristol City first team take on Leicester City in the Championship. A fantastic trip was capped off with an exciting game and a 1-0 win for Bristol.
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U13s
A few days later, the U13s also headed over to Bristol for a day trip, experiencing the challenging nature of playing an away match after hours of travel. They were welcomed in Bristol to sunny skies and windy conditions up on the hill above the city.
The U13s were taking on the Bristol Academy U12s, who started the game brightly and worked their way into a 1-0 lead. However, the Guernsey players soon worked their way into the game and began to get some joy in behind and down the wings with their pace. Guernsey missed several chances before finally finding the net, and they soon scored again to take a lead through until half time.
The third quarter of the game saw the match go back and forth, with both teams attacking with threat and intensity. Bristol continued to peg the Guernsey team back with regular goals. Heading into the final quarter of the match, Guernsey led 6-4, and their physicality and pace came to the fore to extend the score to 10-4.
As with the U14s, the experience gained from the match and the trip will away be very important to these young players in the years ahead. The memories both groups will have made will also be something for them to look back on fondly over the course of their careers.
You can listen to a reflection of the trips on the Guernsey Press Podcast:
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