March 20, 2015

U11 Bow Tournament

The Under 11 side played some excellent, well-organised football this Wednesday that highlighted their progress across the term.  Drawn in a tight group, NSB were made to work extremely hard in their first game against Choristers, going down 1-0 at half-time to a great team move.  However, the team stuck together and Will Trewhitt scored a 20-yard screamer to secure a 1-1 draw.  In their second game, NSB continued their momentum with a solid 3-0 win over Sunderland High, with excellent forward play from Henry Joynson leading to goals from Trewhitt, Harry Dalkin and Freddie Nickalls.  Ringing the changes for game three, Jagveer Hyare and Will Joynson and played some excellent football from the back, with their probing forward passing creating numerous opportunities for the attack.  Trewhitt scored two more cracking goals and created a third for Nickalls, who also hit the woodwork twice.  Oliver Pedlingham played well in goal and outfield, whilst Hamish Armstrong and Ed Foreman were excellent squad players, attacking and defending in equal measure wherever they were asked to play.

NSB finished second in their group on goal difference, drawing the winners of Group B Red House in the semi-finals.  A tense match saw NSB again trail 1-0, before equalising again with a well-worked Trewhitt goal.  The match went to ‘Hymers’-style penalties, with six players shooting simultaneously from the half-way line into an empty net. Red House went first and scored three of six, which NSB duly matched.  This, unbelievably, was then repeated again.  At the third time of asking, Red House only scored two, with NSB scoring three again to progress to the final of the cup, against the hosts Bow School.  An excellent side, Bow took the lead in the first minute with a great goal and piled on the pressure throughout.  NSB rally and, showing great team-work and determination, blocked countless shots from in the box.  With a minute remaining, the team pushed up and, with a final attack, man of the tournament Trewhitt controlled a pass, rounded the keeper, turned brilliantly and scored to take the final to penalties.  NSB were drawn to shoot first and scored three again, which Bow school tallied with.  The penalties were brought further back and NSB struggled, scoring only one to hand the initiative to the opposition.  Bow, however, hit the post twice to also score one.  In an unprecedented scene, NSB scored three more and, with the pressure heaped on Bow school, were victorious as the opposition were unable to score.  The boys won the Cup with their determination, team-work and bravery – a thoroughly deserved win!