12:56pm Monday 12th May 2008
By Lucinda Adam
YOUNG footballers in Downley are celebrating their most successful season ever after reaching the final of the Under 9s South Bucks Minis league.
Two teams from the Downley Dynamos beat Thame Boys Youth yesterday to secure their place in the final against Holmer Green Minors.
Both the Green and White teams - named after the club's strip colours - played close-fought 30 minute games in soaring summer temperatures.
The 32 boys and girls are trained by six parent coaches.
Paul Butler, one of the team's coaches, said: "We're just really chuffed with the efforts that the kids put in. It was such a blistering hot day - so much water was being guzzled on the sidelines.
"The pitches were right next to each other and the kids could hear goals being scored by their fellow team and they were being spurred on by it.
"One mum watching the match told me she'd never been so nervous - she said it was like seeing England play."
Fabrice Meziani, Dynamo's U9 head coach, said: "We are very lucky to have so many coaches developing the skills of our players in this age group.
"Every single one of those players gave everything they had and the results show it. We are all so very pleased to be in the final and we look forward to playing against the other semi finalists when a date, time and venue has been agreed.
The rules of the South Bucks Mini Soccer Conference prevents clubs from publishing scores for Under 9s games.
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