Plate Semi-Final time and things were getting interesting. We had the exciting prospect of a potential all WEEDS Plate Final if both the “Colts” and the “Youth” could get past their respective opponents.

It had been a great day for WEEDS on the pitch so far and a huge step forward from Lisbon last year. To come 6th last year with one squad and then split into two squads and finish in third position in each group was a fine achievement.

First up was WEEDS Youth versus The Warriors. WEEDS Youth had done remarkably well to reach this stage. Having lost their two opening games, 7-0 and 5-1, they embarked on a run of 7 points from a possible 9 to surge up the table and reach this phase.

The Warriors had a haul of 6 points from their group games to finish fourth. They did have a better goal difference than their opponents (+4). The two teams had scored a similar amount of goals – 7 for The Warriors, 6 for WEEDS Youth. The difference was in defence where The Warriors had conceded just 4 to WEEDS Youth's 13. That can largely be attributed to those two tough early games though.

The Warriors were no strangers to Semi-Finals in our tournaments. This would be their third and of the previous two they had won one and lost one. That victory came in the Plate competition though (Algarve 2015).

On the field of play the two teams were evenly matched and there was nothing to separate the two teams at half-time. It was all square at 1-1. Andy Chrascina scored his third of the tournament for The Warriors, Graeme Spinks scored his second for WEEDS Youth.

The game was to be decided in the second half and there would be fond memories for Paul Janman. He scored the winner in a 1-0 win over Ashtead Vets to qualify for the 2015 Algarve Veterans Tournament Plate Final. His goal here had earned a 2-1 win over WEEDS Youth to qualify for the Mallorca Veterans Tournament Plate Final.

The dream of an all-WEEDS Plate Final was over but, of course, they still had interest in the tournament with the second Semi-Final. This was an encounter between WEEDS Colts and Dickie Dogs.

WEEDS Colts were arguably the favourites as they qualified for the Plate with the highest number of points of all teams – 10. They also lead the way in Group B up until the start of Round 4 and were still in pole position to make the Cup right up until the final stages of the group.

Dickie Dogs qualified for this stage with 1 win and 2 draws in the group phase. They had been here before at the 2014 Mallorca Veterans Tournament. In their Plate Semi-Final 3 years ago they demolished Old Bromleians 7-0 to reach the final. We are sure that WEEDS Colts would prove to be a much tougher proposition.

Against the form book (based on today's results) it was Dickie Dogs who took the lead. Neil Ainger – a last minute addition to the Dickie Dogs squad in the couple of weeks leading up to the event – proved his worth by putting Dickie Dogs 1-0 up. This was only the second game in which WEEDS Colts had conceded today.

After the break Neil Ainger bagged his third of the tournament to make it 2-0 to Dickie Dogs. The pressure was on WEEDS Colts who had seen their form dip at just the wrong time. 3 wins followed by a draw then a defeat coming into this game may well have halted their early momentum. Dickie Dogs were sniffing out victory and when Paul Hillier made it 3-0 it was all over.

Huge congratulations to Dickie Dogs on a fine win. Commiserations to WEEDS – a welcome addition to the tournament over the last couple of years and rumours abound they could possibly be joining us in the Algarve next year. Let's hope so.