On Saturday 9th March, our ‘A’ Team took part in the end of season ‘rally’ at Wilshere Dacre School. It was cold, it was muddy, yet the boys tried really hard on very difficult pitches to play the sort of football that is expected of them; they tried to pass the ball and worked really hard.
The first game was against Ickleford, and has been the case in previous years, we found it hard to get started. Tom, our captain was working exceptionally hard covering every blade of grass (well every puddle of mud!) and Jean-Claude had to make a number of excellent saves. The game finished 0-0. Game two was against Highover, and this was a little more straight forward. Tom, Reece and Omar (with a brilliant header) scored a goal each and despite Reece trying to claim another, the fact his shot was probably going out for a throw-on, the fourth went down as an own goal.
The third game was against Whitehill and this was a very difficult game. We did create chances and were very unlucky not to take the lead, but it was Whitehill who scored the only goal of the game. In order to qualify for the semi-finals, we needed to beat St Andrew’s and then hope that the result of the game between St Andrew’s and Ickleford went our way. Both happened. Charlie scored the only goal against St Andrew’s and then with only one goal in the final group game between St Andrew’s and Ickleford, we progressed through to play Mary Exton in the semi-finals.
Both teams were equally matched in the first half of the semi-final. Tom had a shot direct from a free kick which went just over the bar, and Jean-Claude made several excellent saves to prevent Mary Exton from scoring. Some excellent passing play in the second half between Tom, Charlie and Reece saw the ball scrape past the far post. Even in extra-time, neither team managed to find that goal to take them through to the final and so it went to the dreaded penalties.
Tom and Reece scored theirs however, Mary Exton scored all three of theirs and so they were the team that went through to the final and ultimately on to win the whole tournament.
Well done to all the players; Jean-Claude, Harry, Simon, Tom (captain), Harrison, Charlie, Reece and Omar. Thank you also to all the parents who came along to support and also to Mrs Light who finished off the morning for me as I had to leave early to get to Manchester for a very important ‘meeting’… well a quarter final of the FA Cup!
Mr Mills