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AFC R&D at the PAN Disability Football Festival

Our Multi-disability teams lifted both Junior and Senior knock-out trophies at Sixfields yesterday in the PAN disability football festival.

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Team coach Andy Scott tells us about the day;

“We were invited to attend the 14th PAN Disability Football Festival at Sixfields Stadium. We entered a Senior and Junior Squad, and what an occasion it was, with some exceptional football on show. Both of our sides made it through the group stages to the knockout games, which alone I would have been proud of, but they surpassed that by getting through the semi-finals, including a nail-biter of a penalty shootout in the adult league, and then capped things off with another successful penalty decider in the final.

The heroics of Jordan Ogden and Jake Purcy in goal secured the trophy for both sides. I am elated and immensely proud of each and every one of our players. We received huge support from everybody on the day, Just Incredible! A huge thanks to Simon and James for the support and to all the players for working so hard, we ACHIEVED several dreams today.”

The day as it happened was also recalled through the eyes of the hero keeper Jordan Ogden;

“Today has been one of the greatest day of my life.

Getting to play at Sixfields, the home of Northampton Town FC.

“I kept clean sheets in all our matches. The first two matches

ended in 0-0 draws, then third match we won 2-0, which meant

we needed to win 6-0 or better in the last group match to get

through, I didn’t think it was possible but we thrashed our

opponents 7-0, what a game!

“We got into the semi-final which also ended in a 0-0, so we

had to go into a penalty shoot-out, and that made me very

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nervous but we won the shoot-out. Some of my team mates

are saying I’m a “goalie god” – he he, thanks.

“Then on to the final, and yet again we drew 0-0 against a really

good team.

“Before the full time whistle I heard that the junior team had won

the finals of the under 16′s cup, so that made me really happy.

When the final whistle was blown, we had to go to a penalty

shoot-out again. I was so nervous, my heart was beating so fast.

The people behind me chanting my name gave me great

confidence, I loved it so much.

Then I saved the last two penalties, and Andrew scored the final penalty and WE WON THE CUP.

“I was really happy, with everyone rushing to hug me and say I

should sign up for Manchester United. People saying I’m the best

goalkeeper ever. Thanks a lot. It’s been an honour to lift the cup,

and thanks for letting me keep it, I will cherish it. Thanks to everyone

who supported me, I couldn’t have done it without you, and thanks

to all my AFC Rushden Stars team mates for being so great.”

It was a fantastic day for all those involved, with a wonderful group

of players who work so hard to improve their game under the

stewardship of Andy Scott, Simon Barrett and James Beil.

Well done and huge congratulations from everyone at team AFC R & D

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