FYLINGDALES FC went into their quarter-final clash with Seamer after a winter break with their six-match winning run seeming like a distant memory.

Seamer set their stall out as the team that wanted to win all the battles even before the game, forcing the home side into changing into their old second strip. With the two so closely matched, competitive teams mind games were always going to play a part.

Seamer started with five in midfield and dominated the opening 15 minutes. After four minutes, the Scarborians forced a corner which was curled directly into the top corner of the net thanks to the swirling wind.

Continued pressure led to a replica goal of the first but this time Seamer managed to squeeze a corner low directly into the near post.

Two nil down after 15 minutes and FFC realised a change of tactics was needed. The ever-energised Dan Shackleton was brought from attack to support the midfield and this paid off as FFC came back into the game.

A cross from the right met the head of the Jake Faichney and his attempt led to a goal-line scramble edged over the line by Jamie Agar. Paddy Chandler was then put through for a one-on-one saved which the keeper saved well, as the lifted ‘Dales side began to punch their weight.

But it was Seamer next on the scoresheet when an attack down the left led to a low cross landing at the feet of their unmarked striker to make the score 3-1.

FFC knew at half-time they could give more and would be supported by the wind and the large crowd that had now gathered to take in the epic encounter.

Dales bult on some of the positives and created much and spurned more in the second half. Chandler opened the second half scoring when Faichney knocked a corner to him on the edge of the penalty area, where he brought it down on his chest and launched a rocket-like volley into the top left corner.

Minutes later hot shot Faichney’s mazy run left him on the edge of the area where he fired in a spectacular low goal.

Back to 3-3 the team were on a high but it lasted only two minutes when Seamer’s corner taker supreme curled a stunning shot around the wall and past helpless keeper Neil Brearley.

Dales struggled to take complete control again after this setback in a final 20 minutes with chances for both sides.

Stephen Stones challenged the laws of science by lifting the ball over the bar from the goal-line.

But this was always going to be Seamer’s day and they had the last laugh when a corner late on was met by an unmarked head for 5-3.

Even the late addition of Mark Brennan, who handled his opportunity with style, was not enough to turn over the strong Scarborough side.

If FFC are serious about challenging for the league they have a lot of work to do based on this performance.

This Sunday, Dales are in another cup match, against Trafalgar - beaten for the frist time in five years last week - from division one.

Man of the match: Dan Shackleton

Match ball sponsor: Rob Hopper Drylining.

YOUNG volleyball players from around the Whitby area are dreaming of competing at this year’s Olympic venues, a month ahead of the 2012 games getting under way.

Those who took part in final selection for the 2012 UK School games over half-term are now nervously awaiting the letter informing them whether they have made it into the final 15.

If they make the cut for the games, which are being used as the final dress rehearsal for the London Olympics, youngsters will get a sense of the Olympics in this dry run for the 2012 games themselves.

Youngsters who make the squad will go off for a final training camp a week before The UKSG and only 12 from the 15 will make it to the actual games the following week in a gruelling selection process.

North Riding Eagles coach Anthony Laffan expressed a note of caution.

“Within our club, we encourage as many players as possible to attend regional training.

“This has seen many of our players selected to play for Yorkshire where they get to compete in the inter-regionals tournament which is a great weekend of volleyball,” he said.

“Much friendlier than the UKSG which can be very intense, the inter regionals is obviously a high standard but a bit more like The Commonwealth Games in the sense that players enjoy themselves and make lots of new friends.

“The UKSG can be stressful for youngsters as they may not get selected to actually play once there.

“I was shocked last year to find that North (girl) players were banned from even saying hello to other competitors by their coaches.

“This is a shame because sport should be about breaking down barriers and removing prejudice.

“It should teach our youngsters to make new friends and that you can be competitive but still be friendly.

“So the ban on being able to even speak to other competitors does seem pathetic when you actually think what sport is supposed to be about.”

This year, the attraction to be able to go to play sport at the site of the London Olympics. Young athletes will also get to stay in the Olympic village and feel the atmosphere via the security, menus etc that will all be in place as every last check for the games is made.

* Local players attending North trials were: Dougie Elias, Dan Davies, Mickey Elias, Lewis Cheung, James Goswell, Mathew Bates, Nick Ivin, Rebecca Chalk, Catherine Lewin, Rebecca Laffan, Joanne Connolly and Jessica Lewin

Awaiting selection for Yorkshire: most of the above plus Jake Allen, Mathew Hutchinson, Joe Hugill, David Marsden, Samantha Gibson, Isabella Shackleton, Eva Elias, Catherine Laffan, Sarah Powell, Abbie Robertson, Jess Edwards, Beth Jones, Flynn Middlemass and Lauren James.