THE SportsGuernsey Mini Soccer Festival just keeps getting bigger and better. Now in its fourth year, Foote’s Lane over the weekend witnessed 19 sides battling it out in glorious sunshine for the Rothschild Shield and the Rothschild Plate silverware.

Two of these sides were the academy teams from Premiership clubs Arsenal and Everton.

‘We thought it was well organised and it finished on time,’ said Arsenal Academy coach Carl Laraman.

‘Everything about it has been delightful. It’s been terrific.

‘It was very competitive and it’s been great for all those involved.’

Arsenal were beaten in the shield final by North 3-0. The chocolate-and-blues goalscorers were Paris Pereira, Danny Hale and Tom Martin.

‘Our boys did well,’ said Laraman.

‘We enjoyed it. It’s upsetting to lose but good luck to the team that beat us.’

The Everton Academy top coach, Tosh Farrell, was also beaming about the weekend.

The blue team from Mersey have been over every year since the inaugural event in 2002, when they won the main competition.

That was the only time they took the trophy home with them.

‘We keep coming back because of the organisation and because of the relationship with the island that Everton has grown over the years,’ said Farrell.

‘The tournament is as good as any we’ve been to and the organisation is getting better.’

Undoubtedly the stars of the weekend were Northeners. It was a truly magic moment for them when, in front of a packed Garenne Stand full of their supporters, they defeated the mighty Arsenal.

It was quite fitting to see club president and Gunners’ fan Dave Finn at the end of the match clutching onto the Arsenal pennant presented to them before the start of the match.

That will certainly be put in pride of place in the Northfield clubhouse and will serve to remind them of their magnificent achievement.

North striker Perreira had a double whammy as he was also named as player of the weekend.

‘I’m pleased as I thought someone else was going to get it because I got it at another tournament,’ said the 10-year-old.

With St Martin’s winning the plate when they beat St Paul’s from Jersey after penalties, it was the first time that both trophies had gone to teams from the island. In fact it was first time that either cup went to a local outfit.

Organiser Steve Dewsnip was a delighted man come the finish late on Sunday afternoon.

‘It’s been superb,’ he said.

‘It’s been our biggest festival to date and it’s been brilliant. The weather has been kind and every club has already started to talk about next year.’