TAUNTON & District Schools FA's season has come to a close, having presented the awards for a successful campaign.
The Under-13s had a number of notable performances as part of a steep learning curve.
The national competition was halted by a trip to Swansea, for a superb encounter where the players' first game as a group was mixed with exciting attacking play.
The team could well have reached the Somerset Inter-District Schools final, but on the day of the playoff match a number of key students were missing through injury or illness and so TDSFA lost 2-0 to eventual winners North Somerset.
SAFE HANDS: Toby Warner (U13 Players' player) with Taunton Town goalkeeper and North Petherton cricketer Lloyd Irish.
The Under-14s lost two strong players in the close season, but the side has always been capable and determined.
A South West semi-final loss in slightly controversial circumstances didn’t dent their confidence, as they came back stronger to win the Somerset Inter-District County Cup final, having gone through the whole campaign undefeated.
Possibly the biggest challenge with the Under-15 group has been coordinating their focus, as they are an energetic and gutsy group, who just needed to dovetail their competitive mindsets together more often.
They dealt a Yeovil side their only loss in three years of Somerset Inter-District competition.
TOP PLAYER: Jamie Nicholson (U14 Festival Player's Player) with Owen Irish, former Taunton Town captain and now Tiverton Town player.
For the Under-16s, Harry Mason, Noah Coppin, Patrick O'Halloran and Callum Watts all represented Somerset County Schools FA in the Nationals & South West Championships, eventually losing a close tie to eventual national winners Hampshire.
In the South West Championship, TDSFA lost three points through another side's inability to fulfill a fixture, costing the side even though eventual winners Dorset were comprehensively beaten 5-0.
Thanks go to everyone who has supported the association this season, as they look forward to another exciting season in 2018/19.
CERTIFICATES: Somerset County Schools U16 National Cup representatives Harry Mason, Callum Watts and Patrick O'Halloran, with the mayoral consort Robin Herbert.
Award winners
Certificate awards:
U13 top goal scorer - Adam Willis; U14 top goal scorer - Jacob Schock, Sully McKenna; U15 top goal scorer - Harry Purser
U13 best defensive display - Rhys Wall; U14 best defensive display - Taylor Powell; U15 best defensive display - Shea Reed
U13 greatest distance covered - Gabrielle Billington; U14 greatest distance covered - Dan Chapman; U15 greatest distance covered - Josh Lukins
U13 goal of the season - Adam Willis; U14 goal of the season - Jacob Schock; U15 goal of the season - Harry Purser
U13 captain's award - Lewis Smith, Alex Parsons; U14 captain's award - Taylor Powell; U15 captain's award - Josh Lukins
U13 most photographed - Will Varney; U14 most photographed - Jamie Nicholson; U15 most photographed - Jacob Hockey
Under-13 shield awards:
Festival players' player - Toby Warner; Most improved - Alex Parsons; Players' player - Toby Warner; Player of the season - Toby Warner
Under-14 shield awards:
Festival players' player - Jamie Nicholson; Most improved - Kaine Savery; Players' player - Jamie Nicholson; Player of the season - Taylor Powell
Under-15 shield awards:
Most improved - Harry Purser; Players' player - Jacob Hockey; Player of the season - Josh Lukins, James Cottril
Somerset County Schools U16 representatives certificates: Harry Mason, Noah Coppin, Patrick O'Halloran, Callum Watts, George Farmer
Taunton Deane Mayor's Award: Harry Mason
