Cheshire Football Finals

Having finished 3rd in the Chester Cup, we qualified for the Cheshire Finals. Competing against the top 20 football teams from schools all over Cheshire - we knew it was going to be tough. 

In the group stage our first match was against Winwick, from Warrington. We exploded out of the blocks and played some of the best football we have ever played. Daniel and Oliver combined beautifully. Dan scored 5, Oliver 1 and Cameron also finished well in a 7 - 0 win. 

Confidence was now high and our next group match was against The Quinta Primary School from Alsager. We dominated throughout. The through balls were well measured and there were intelligent runs from Oliver up front. He had a fantastic game, scoring a hat trick and Cameron chipped in with one again. A 4 - 0 win. 

The final group game was agaisnt Mablins Lane. Both teams had won 2 matches and it was a winner takes all match. They were a good side and attacked down the flanks with pace. We found ourselves in 4 on 2 situtations several times, but we dug in and defended knowing a draw would send us through. Then, a moment of magic. Dan broke free in the middle of the pitch and unleashed a drive from 20 yards out which flew into the top corner. A 1 - 0 win. 

We made the last 8 and met Weston in the Quarter finals. They had some quality players who were confident on the ball. We lost our shape a little and lost some of our fluency going forward. They rifled in from a free kick on the edge of the box, then scored a second and the real sucker punch was a penalty before half time. It finsihed 4 - 0 and the dream was over. 

The boys have a lot to be proud of. In the group stage, the Crewe Alex coaches said they were playing some of the best football they had seen in years! To make the last 8 in the whole of Cheshire is a fantastic achievement. It is hard to single out 1 player today. It was a real team effort and in the group stage every player had a shout for player of the tournament.

 It was the perfect preparation for Monday. A win against Belgrave and we clinch yet another league title. Fingers crossed.