YEAR 10 COUNTY FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS!

Last night at Edgar Street, the Year 10 football team put in an incredible performance to defeat a very strong Whitecross team 2-1 and defend their County Champion status. The game was thrilling, nerve racking and very physical and the boys showed all of the qualities that we try and grow in our teams. They were: respectful, resilient, supportive and encouraging to each other and determined.

Both teams looked nervous as the game started and soon Whitecross settled into a rhythm. They looked dangerous, but we defended sensibly and with discipline to negate their attacking threat. We too looked dangerous on the break with Ollie Davies and Ryan Halford especially using their pace and skills to good effect normally following good work from the midfield trio of Josh Phillips, Jasper Wilce and Charlie Cresswell.  JMHS got the break through when Whitecross failed to clear the ball, a shot was blocked and the ball kindly feel to captain James Kenny, who skilfully curled the ball just inside the left hand post with his left foot. As the half continued both teams look dangerous in patches, but without making a serious threat on goal. A free kick just inside the opponents half was George Hackman’s queue to deliver a fine ball into the box that caused mayhem among the defence, the ball bounced and skidded off the slick surface and floated into the top corner! 2-0 to JMHS! At the other end Zak Bonfield made a tremendous save from a penalty meaning that we went into the break with a two goal advantage.

We knew full well we we not have it all our own way, and so it proved in the second half. Whitecross pledged more men forwards in attack and looked threatening. Bruno Recordon and Ryan Halford especially catching the eye with lung busting efforts to prevent Whitecross from scoring. The latter was caught JUST offside before rifling home a belter of a shot which was rightly disallowed. After that, we defended with discipline but could not prevent Whitecross from scoring a well-worked goal when we lost possession trying to play the ball out from the back. It was a tense final 15 minutes as the game was so physically draining for the players that a number had to substituted and we were hanging on towards the end. But hang on they did and we ran out 2-1 winners. This is the third year in four that this team have won the County Cup final. Well done to all of those who took part, their conduct in the game was impeccable.

The full squad was: Zak Bonfield, Brad Potter, George Hackman, James Kenny (C), Harry Martin, Josh Phillips, Jasper Wilce, Charlie CResswell, Ollie Davies, Ryan Halford, Jack Powell, Bruno Recordon, Ronan Chowns Higgs, Jack Dandy and Scott Lancett.

My thanks to all the parents and family members who came to support tonight and for your support throughout the season. Well done!

Jordan Kontarines

Published on 9th May 2019