Today we kicked of our football season with 3 very competitive games against schools who were very near the top of the league last season. We have had 1 training session where we focused on defending and passing the ball around quickly and sharply. In all 3 games, it was great to see the children take on board what they had learnt and apply the skills to competitive games.

Our 1st game was against Howley Grange and we played brilliantly. There was some excellent defending from Elijah, Archie and Finley, stopping some very dangerous attacks. We passed the ball around really well in midfield with Omar and Tommy linking up very nicely. Despite all the hard work and effort we put in, we sadly lost the game 2-0.

Our next game was against Olive Hill, where some last ditch defending by Zak and some excellent goalkeeping from Kyrie, kept us in the game at 0-0. However, 3 quick fire goals from Olive Hill meant we did lose the game 3-0.

The final game saw us play Huntingtree, where we were 0-0 for the vast majority of the game. Ramy was excellent in midfield, chasing the ball down at every opportunity. A wonderful ball through by Olivia sent Tommy away on goal but couldn’t find the net. A very late goal from Huntingtree meant that we ended up losing the game 1-0.

We couldn’t be prouder of the effort put in by every player. This was the best football we have seen from our school for a long time. They were a real credit to our school and showed great sportsmanship throughout.

Well Done everyone!

Today we played 2 games in what could only be described as 'horrendous' conditions. It did not stop raining from the minute we got to the pitch to the minute we stepped off. The conditions were very tricky but all of our players didn't let that faze them and put in some superb performances.

Our 1st game was against Lapal who won the game 4-0. We once again showed our defence capabilities by blocking a numerous amount of shots. Archie, Olivia, Michael and Elijah took the brunt of these and dealt with them amazingly. The moment of the match came from Kyrie, who in what one parent described as the 'maddest minute of football they had ever seen', made around 9 or 10 outstanding saves. This included 1 shot that was destined to find the back of the net, which Kyrie got his finger tips to and pushed onto the bar. The Lapal coach described the performance as 'one of the best he had seen in a very long time'. 

Our final match was against Our Lady of St Kenelms. This was one of the best games I have seen us play. There was some excellent passing between Tommy, Finley and Ramy which created a lot of chances but just couldn't find the back of the net. In the end, a early goal from St Kemelms meant we lost the game 1-0

The team continue to show how much they are improving week by week and they are looking forward to coming back after the winter break to play again. Well Done to everyone who has been playing in the games and also attending our training sessions, your effort has been superb every week. Keep this up !

Mr Morgan

Today was our first set of games after the Christmas period, with just one training session prior to the games. It was bitterly cold but at least the rain kept away in what would be a memorable day for the team.

Our first game was against Hasbury and from the whistle, we pressed and chased the ball down at every opportunity. In the 2nd minute, our pressing of the Hasbury defence gave us a 1-0 lead as Finley won the ball of their defender and smashed it into the bottom corner. We passed the ball around beautifully in midfield, with Olivia, Tommy, Ramy and Finley linking up extremely well. Elijah, Archie and Kyrie had a quiet game but when they needed to be called upon, they did their jobs really well. Some more excellent pressing gave us our 2nd goal with Ramy pinching the ball before laying it of to Finley to have a shot at goal. His effort was well saved by the goalkeeper but was tapped home coolly by Tommy to make it 2-0.

As the final whistle went, the celebrations from our team was truly amazing. It was our 1st win in the league for a long time and the smiles on the players faces told you how much it meant to them. Mrs Allard got straight on the phone to let Mrs Knowles know the amazing result! To say she was over the moon would be an understatement!

Our 2nd and final game of the day was against Newfield Park where we were unlucky to lose 2-0. Kyrie pulled off 2 amazing saves before Newfield scored their first. Again, it was an unlucky goal as he made a tremendous save but spun back into the goal. Unfortunately the referee, which was me, saw it and had to give the goal. Some excellent defending from our defence kept us in the game for a long period of time before Newfield made it 2-0. Michael was very unfortunate to have handled the ball inside the area but if he hadn't put his hands where he did, he could easily have been going to hospital with a broken nose. Kyrie saved the penalty with a great block with his thigh. Omar also played in this game and ran his heart out, chasing down every ball he was near.

The excitement of the players as we left to come back to school is something that will stay with me for a long, long time. Everybody put their heart and soul into training and we are now applying the skills onto the pitch. 

I want to thank all of the parents who were able to come and attend and cheer the team on. It is really appreciated and means a lot to all the players and school. We go again next month and hopefully try to pick up another win before the season finishes.