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Posted on February 27th 2024
Last Minute Magic Puts Year 10 Through to Quarter Finals
Harris Merton 3-4 HBAED! Last minute magic from Shai sends Year 10s through to the quarter finals!
Following the thrilling second round penalty shootout win vs HASU, our Year 10 football team travelled to Harris Merton (HAM) in anticipation, ready for the last 16 tie. The boys had every reason to feel confident and were excited to play our style of football on an unbelievable surface.
HBAED started strong, with multiple challenges flying in as the boys asserted their authority on the game by demanding the ball. This led to opportunities on goal from our dynamic front attack. A lovely run from Shakih then drew a foul within shooting range for Shai. His right footed effort beat the wall and was parried into the path of Alassane, who headed home for 1-0! A strong start.
It was now time to defend as HAM grew into the game. Jayden and Theo made brilliant last-ditch challenges to keep the scoreline at 1-0. However, HAM were awarded a dubious penalty 10 minutes from half time, which was dispatched... 1-1.
The Year 10 boys wouldn’t have been blamed for consolidating at 1-1 and getting through to half time at this point. However, that isn’t how we do things!! Denzel drove down the wing before playing a lovely ball through to Joseph, who took one touch to the left and drove the ball home past the keeper, 2-1!
Half time was the last thing on our mind now as we had found our stride again. A brilliant ball from Olajuwon found Shai who crossed superbly again for Joseph…. No doubt, 3-1! A superb first half display from the captain.
The second half started with a possession-based approach. Neat movement from Charlie and Josh led to multiple chances on goal as we were determined not to sit on our lead. However, this positive attacking mindset unfortunately led a second half collapse. HAM responded with a goal to make it 3-2. Despite magnificent work from the ever-reliable Joel, he was unable to keep out another goal from a corner, 3-3!
At this stage character was needed from HBAED now to stay in this game. Michael continued his dominant display at right back with several challenges to win possession of the ball back, the most important of which found the ball at Shai’s feet.
What composure, what skill, WHAT A GOAL!
As the allocated game time was running out, Shai turns just inside the HAM half. The task is surely impossible, with five players to beat. He beats one, beats two, he beats three….. He surely can’t, can he? Charlie and Denzel produced superb movement to create more space for Shai to take on his final two players, he receives some luck to beat the fourth player, one more to go! Shai looks up at the keeper and shows sensational composure to slot the ball into the bottom corner. What composure, what skill, WHAT A GOAL… 4-3!
The task was now to defend for the three minutes of added time and the Year 10 team executed that task with commanding goalkeeping from our number one, Joel. Full Time – 4-3…. WHAT A RESULT!
The team march on to the quarter finals of the Harris Cup.
Mr Cassells, Teacher of PE
