Veterans show that class is permanent (From Asian Image)

Veterans show that class is permanent

4:16pm Wednesday 17th February 2010 in

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They came, they saw and they conquered. The third annual Over 35’s football tournament played at Play Football Centre, Preston saw rank outsiders Bank Top Rovers come away with the honours.

In both the semi-final and the final Bank Top goalkeeper Kesar stood in the way of the Preston penalty-kings.

But Bank Top had begun the tournament on a losing note going down 2-1 to Deepdale Santos who they would later meet in the final.

But helped by the goals of Servet Tasdimir (Savo) and strong backline led by Iftikhar (Hari) the side won their next four games to reach the semi’s.

The first semi final was played between Bank Top and Olden Boys of Preston. In a closely contested match chances were very few and far but mid way through the match Shahid Kalang found enough space to score to give Olden Boys a 1-0 lead.

Bank Top reeling from conceding a goal found an instant reply with a well struck shot beating keeper Bilal. With scores level after three penalties each it was nice to witness the ever lively character of Iftikhar scoring the winning penalty for Bank Top. The second semi final between Deepdale Santos and Old Stars was disrupted early on when Soeab Bax was injured and his team without any substitutes effectively played their match with one player short.

Goals from Arif Isap and Iqbal Moosa (2) made it a comfortable 3-0 win for Deepdale Santos.

The final saw Bank Top take the lead twice with their quick-counter attacking football. The game though ended 2-2 after a mistake by Bank Top keeper Kesar resulted in him conceding a penalty late on.

Kesar made amends by saving both penalty kicks from Deepdale Santos which left Savo to deservedly score the tournament winning penalty for Bank Top.

And this was a long time coming but it was the first side any team from Blackburn had won any local tournament in Preston.

Tournament organisers would like to thank Canaries FC, participating teams, supporters, volunteers and referees (Faz Khan, Javed Haji, Pervaiz Bobat and Umar Desai). Suz Member (Professional Boxer) kindly donated the Player of the tournament trophy. The event was kindly funded by Help Direct and visited by its associates Simon Ashby and Beth Blenkinship. In association with PAYSA.