Tournament Squad: Josh, Harrison, Jack, Stanley, Tee-Jay, Henry, Rohan (goalie), Joseph, Matthew, Ludo
We set up for the tournament with Rohan in goal, Jack as sweeper, Matthew and Henry sharing the mid-field defensive responsibilities, Tee-Jay, Ludo and Josh sharing midfield “generalissimo” roles, and Stanley, Joseph and Harrison providing our rapid strike force. All were to play their roles in a brilliant afternoon of excellent football.
League Match 1 – Shire Colts
A baptism of fire against one of the best. On a sloping pitch we attacked from the off but despite our best efforts went one down to a well-organised Shire Colts team that passed the ball well. However, it wasn’t long before we drew level as Stanley showed his superb skills, latching on to a long goal kick from Jack to rattle the back of the net. Joseph gave us a second and a well-deserved victory. It was great to see the Foxes settle into their passing game and, with Ludo leading by example, come back after going a goal down.
Result: Foxes 2: Shire Colts 1
League Match 2 – Stoke Lane B
As runners-up in the top division of the Hanham Minor League, Stoke Lane started as one of the tournament favourites. It was going to be another tough match. Chances were few for both sides. Rohan kept goal superbly and Jack and Tee-Jay kept the Stoke Lane attack at bay. An illegal back pass by their defence should have given us a free kick on the edge of the box, but confusion over the rules (which took several lengthy conversations after the match to sort out) resulted in the ball being placed in the wrong spot and our long shot went wide. Harrison came closest after some superb midfield teamwork, but it was not to be. We shaded the performance but could not turn superior play into goals.
Result: Foxes 0: Shire Colts 0
League Match 3 – Clifton United Green
Clifton took to the field with their goal-stopping keeper, Charlie, in place. We knew we had to win to have any chance of progressing and the Foxes did not disappoint. A fine drive from Harrison went through the keeper’s hands and we were ahead. Matthew in defence was never really troubled and Josh, Henry and Tee-Jay dominated the midfield. Goals from Joseph, Harrison (twice) and Tee-Jay ensured a fine victory, despite Clifton scoring a consolation goal when their keeper did emerge from goal in the second half. A fine result and an excellent performance that drew compliments from the opposition coaches.
Result: Foxes 5: Clifton United Green 1
League Match 4 – Golden Hill Sonics
We went into the final group match within touching distance of qualification for the knock-out stages. But only a win would guarantee our place. From the whistle we were dominant, wining the ball from the Sonics and passing through the team for Joseph to score straight away. Joseph then added to his total and was joined on the score sheet by Tee-Jay and Josh in a very one-sided match.
Result: Foxes 4: Golden Hill Sonics 0
Semi-Final – Stoke Lane A
Without a break we headed into a semi-final. As winners of our group we were drawn against the runners-up of the other group. Having played on game fewer (one of their group had pulled out) and well rested before the match, they came out all guns blazing. The Foxes were fearsome. Every player ran their heart out. Ludo and Tee-Jay pulled the strings in mid-field, Jack and Henry barricaded our defence, Rohan guarded goal and Harrison and Stanley terrorised on the attack. Soon the pressure paid and Harrison scored the first goal. We kept the pressure up but in the second half limbs started to flag and Stoke Lane eventually equalised.
The match then went into a nail-biting, and ultimately controversial 3 v 3 extra time play-off. No one, including the poor ref, really knew how this was supposed to be played, but after some superb defending by Ludo and a brilliant tackle by Stanley, Harrison was sent through. Free from any defenders, he sprinted half the length of the pitch to run the ball in. We all thought that was it and we had won. Stoke Lane complained that they had a player down and that the ref should have stopped the game. After several minutes, and a few stiff words, it was decided that we had to play on, but that the goal would stand.
Stanley had injured himself in the tackle and left for the first aid tent. Joseph came on. Brilliant, dogged defence, including a goal line clearance from Harrison kept Stoke Lane out. It was only when Joseph took a long shot, which Harrison sprinted onto to tap in, that the final whistle blew. Exhausted bodies celebrated a wonderful win.
Result: Foxes 3: Stoke Lane A 1
Final – Rockleaze Rangers
Yet again we were given no time to recover and this time it cost us dearly. Again we were up against a side that had played one game less and had had long recovery periods. Stanley was off injured; Harrison left after a minute, barely able to walk, and Ludo and Joseph played on but were clearly “out of gas”. Despite a magnificent effort from Rohan, Jack, Matthew, Henry and Tee-Jay we just did not have enough left to really challenge Rockleaze. They played well and deserved their first goal. However, the second came after a player appeared to kick the ball out of Rohan’s hands. The ref let it stand and we accepted his decision.
Result: Foxes 0: Rockleaze Rangers 2
On reflection, the semi-final turned out to be a Pyrrhic victory. The physical and emotional toll on our players put paid to any real chance of winning. Combined with having played more games, the last 3 of which were back-to-back, our chances of competing in the final on an even footing were minimal.
However, the Y4 Foxes were truly magnificent today. Every single one of them gave everything they had for the team. The goalkeeping was brilliant; the defence commanding and stubborn; the midfield majestic and full of sublime skills, and the attack was the deadliest in the tournament. The Foxes scored more goals than anyone else (by some way!) and had the best goal difference of all the teams. We finished runners-up in name only.
For a school-based team, founded on inclusion, today was a day when we should all be very proud of the Foxes. They played with grace, with passion, and with breath-taking skill. Always sporting, they were in many eyes, the best team of all. Congratulations!
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