Yesterday afternoon, I had the pleasure of accompanying a group of Year 6 boys (pictured left to right: Mohale, Jude, Aubin, Harry, Bodhi, George, Kasey, Ethan, and Kudzi) to a thrilling 9-a-side football tournament hosted by Bushmead School. Alongside hosts Bushmead, Little Paxton, Crosshall, and Thorndon all competed for the top spot.
The tournament kicked off with a tough encounter against Thorndon. Despite going a goal down early in the match, our boys displayed great resilience, fighting back to secure a 1-1 draw. A clinical finish from Ethan ensured we earned a valuable point from the game.
Next, we faced Bushmead, and the team delivered an outstanding performance. George sealed the win with an absolute screamer that left the goalkeeper no chance.
The final match was a crucial one against Crosshall, who we were level on points with. Little Paxton made an early statement, with Kudzi sending the entire Crosshall defence to the shops before calmly slotting home. Unfortunately, Crosshall struck late to equalise, forcing the game into a dreaded penalty shoot-out.
When it came to penalties, our boys kept their composure and proved their mettle. A perfect 3-0 victory in the shoot-out saw George, Bodhi, and Ethan all scoring remarkable ‘top bins’ penalties. At the other end, Harry was the hero, saving all three of Crosshall’s penalties to secure our victory.
More than the tournament win itself; I was most proud of how the boys conducted themselves throughout the day. They were an excellent representation of the school, displaying sportsmanship, respect, and teamwork at every turn.
WELL DONE BOYS!
Mr. Booth
