The U11A football team enjoyed a fantastic day at the IAPS National Finals at Danes Hill on Saturday, finishing as runners-up after an outstanding tournament campaign.
We approached the day with a quiet confidence in our ability and our chances of progressing to the latter stages of the tournament, despite being handed a challenging group-stage draw against Brentwood Prep, Twyford School and Great Walstead School.
Group Stages
Our opening fixture was against Brentwood, an established school with an impressive sporting pedigree and alumni including Frank Lampard and Max Dowman. It was a cagey affair, with neither side quite finding the quality in the final third to break the deadlock. Wilf W was as reliable as ever at the back, providing a solid foundation for the team to build from. Our persistence was eventually rewarded with just a couple of minutes remaining, as skipper Teddy S-S produced a composed finish, finding the bottom-left corner. 1-0. Three points. A perfect start.
Next up were Twyford School, and there was an immediate sense that the early nerves had settled. We began to retain possession for longer periods, moving the ball around with purpose. Another 1-0 win, which perhaps flattered our opponents somewhat, put us top of the group and firmly in control heading into our final fixture.
The last group game against Great Walstead was where our attacking football really began to shine. A series of well-taken goals put us in a comfortable position early on, allowing us to manage the game and see out an impressive 3-0 win. Nine points from nine, a perfect group-stage record and a place in the quarter-finals secured!
Knockout Stages
Our quarter-final opponents were UCS, who had finished second in their group. Following a short break, we were warmed up, focused and chomping at the bit. UCS, meanwhile, seemed to still be working out who and where they were playing! The result? Quite possibly the fastest goal The Beacon have ever scored. Just two passes, a wonderful cross from Quinn R and a tidy finish from Maxim M saw the ball nestle in the back of the net after just five seconds!
We continued to pile on the pressure, and a 3-0 half-time score after just seven minutes was thoroughly deserved. With the hard work done, we were able to take our foot off the gas in the second half and comfortably see out the victory. A place in the semi-finals awaited.
Standing between us and a place in the National Final were familiar opponents, Wellingborough, whom we had beaten in the Regional Final the previous month. It was another tightly contested encounter, with a fortunate bounce from a set piece falling kindly into the path of Teddy S-S inside the box. He made no mistake, turning the ball home for what would prove to be the decisive goal. Wellingborough did their best to disrupt our rhythm, putting in some tasty challenges along the way, but struggled to create anything of real note. That was in no small part thanks to a series of superb, goal-saving tackles from Ronan W, who stood firm when called upon. 1-0. Another clean sheet. Through to the National Final!
Highgate awaited. The game was everything you might expect from a cup final. Competitive, tense and played with a real edge, but with an understandable nervousness as neither side wanted to make the mistake that could cost them the game. Chances were at a premium, and a goalless 0-0 stalemate at the end of normal time meant that a further four minutes of golden-goal extra time would be required to separate the sides.
We thought we had produced the moment of magic to win it. A wonderful cross from Harley G found Sebi W at the back post, whose superb volley rattled the woodwork. So close!
It was a gut-wrenching moment, then, when Highgate created an opportunity of their own at the other end and managed to slot the ball through the onrushing Mateo C’s legs to snatch victory right at the death. 0-1. Unfortunately, this time there was no opportunity for a reply.
Despite the disappointment of losing out in the final, finishing 2nd in the country is an extraordinary achievement which the whole team should be immensely proud of. What has been particularly pleasing throughout the tournament is the quality of football these boys have produced. Their understanding of the game, their movement and their patterns of play are well beyond their years. They have shown resilience, composure, determination and, above all, a real desire to play football the right way.
A huge congratulations to the entire squad. To win our group with maximum points, progress through the quarter-final and semi-final without conceding a goal, and reach a National Final is something very special. We may have fallen just short of the ultimate prize this time, but there is plenty more to come from this group.
One thing is for sure… we can’t wait to have a crack at the U11 ISFA competition in the Spring Term!
Well done, lads. You have a very proud coach!
Reported by Mr Sutcliffe
U11C Rugby v Moulsford
A great performance and win makes the long trip to and from Moulsford worth the effort.
To date this was the U11C game of the season running out 7-5 victors in a very competitive game with great levels of quality from both sides.
It was the commitment and passion at the breakdown that won the day for The Beacon, countering and nullifying Moulsford’s reliance on more expansive play.
Tries from Rory, Farid (2), Rhys, Barnaby, Oscar & Kemal as well as excellent tackling from captain, Edward kept our noses in front throughout, securing a fantastic win against a traditionally strong opponent.
Reported by Mr Langley
U13A v Moulsford
Wednesday saw our U13’s play their first home game of the season against a strong Moulsford B team, and it was fantastic to see so many parents and grandparents turning out to support the boys.
It was a very physical and competitive encounter, with our defence constantly being put to the test by a determined Moulsford side. The boys responded well, however, and showed plenty of ambition with ball in hand, looking to move the ball and play an expansive game throughout the afternoon. Much of this was thanks to the excellent understanding between our half-backs, Henry L and Oliver F, who worked really well together to keep the game flowing.
Up front, our pack worked tirelessly, putting the Moulsford scrum under pressure and dominating the breakdown with some aggressive counter-rucking, helped in no small part by Henry S and Tristan T. This proved crucial in disrupting their attacking momentum and creating opportunities for us to capitalise on turnover ball. Matteo P, Xander T-O and Kian C all benefited from this and crossed the try line in the first half, each finishing their opportunities with a lovely touch of individual brilliance.
With the score at three tries to one at half-time, I challenged the boys to look after our own possession more carefully and to show a little more variety in our play. They certainly took this on board in the second half, adding four further tries through Kian C, Matteo P, Arki B and Emilio T, with Maxwell S varying his game to cause the opposition even more problems in the second half. Moulsford continued to make life difficult for us and maintained their competitiveness throughout, adding a second-half try of their own.
Overall, this was a really useful game to blow away some half-term cobwebs ahead of the busy few weeks to come. There were plenty of positives, particularly our work at the breakdown, attacking intent and ability to turn pressure into points. The next step is to concentrate more on our own individual and collective performances, rather than spending too much time talking and shouting at one another on the pitch. If we can channel that energy more positively, there is plenty more progress to come. Well done, team!
Reported by Mr Powell