Lichfield Cathedral School

The U11 Soccer team have finished their season with some outstanding matches.

First came the result against Blue Coat School a week last Friday – perhaps our toughest opponents.

The U11 A team managed a nail biting 1-1 draw in a fast paced match. Despite an outstanding effort from every player on the pitch, Jacob Levine’s role as Goal Keeper was key to holding the draw with some super-human saves.

The U11 B team were simply outstanding and deserve a special mention for their hard–earned victory over the boys in blue. Mr Smith reports:

The prospect of an away match at Blue Coat was daunting enough but a depleted squad (due to illness) and delayed journey, certainly added to the pre-match tension.

After arriving 30 minutes late, the team was forced to change into their boots pitch-side & within minutes kicked off against a very physical looking Blue Coat.

The early exchanges were dominated by Lichfield, with Archie Hulse and Will Mucklow winning the midfield battle and allowing Julian Patient and Cam Smith to run at Blue Coat's defence.

It took less than three minutes for Lichfield to strike, Julian latching on to a hopeful pass and finding the back of the net via a wicked deflection. Blue Coat responded immediately with a sortie of attacks. Lichfield stood firm with Richard Chapman and Charlie Joyce snubbing out the Blue Coat strikers with a series of well timed tackles.

After a period of Blue Coat pressure, Lichfield began to settle and was suddenly presented with a gilt edged opportunity. Julian powered forward and dispatched a superb shot past the helpless keeper. Blue Coat was stunned into action. Slowly but surely they began to exert pressure on the Lichfield goal, and were rewarded in the dying seconds of the first ten minute session (the game was played over three ten minute periods).

Lichfield 2-1 Blue Coat

The second period belonged to Tommie Collingwood, who made several fine saves to keep Lichfield in the driving seat. James Lloyd, Archie, Cam and Charlie worked their socks off and Julian continued to pose a threat.

In the final period, Blue Coat went searching for an equalizer. However, Lichfield remained steadfast with Richard and Will heroically repelling attack after attack. In one last effort Blue Coat thundered a shot at the Lichfield goal but once again Tommie stood in their way, palming the goal bound effort onto the bar and out to safety. The referee blew for full-time.

Lichfield 2-1 Blue Coat.

Credit must go to all the players after a hard fought victory against a well drilled Blue Coat side. The team showed great tenacity and a willingness to work for each other and proved they are capable of competing and winning at this level.

Man of the Match: Tommie Collingwood

The next challenge for the U11s was the match against Maple Hayes on the following Tuesday. Both squads had been inspired by the performance against Blue Coat and despite a changed team were in the mind set for victory.

The B team played first managing a very convincing 5-0 win. Luke Wilkins made some dazzling runs on the right wing ably supported by Cam Smith who put Chris Bowen and Jonny Day away for several goals. Chris Bowen scored an outstanding hat trick with Jonny Day managing two goals. Despite these individual successes, it was very much a team effort and a team award was presented in recognition of the outstanding effort of all players on the pitch.

The A team were enthused by the B team's performance but found the going a little tougher with Maple Hayes using their big forwards to dominate play up front. Jacob Levine once again found himself busy in goal and undertook some gazelle-like saves.

The As mounted their pressure on the opposition and a flurry of goals followed: two from Dan Whitehurst, one from Layth Shumary and one from Dom Geobey. Joshua Abrahart did a fantastic job as captain and encouraged his men to the last minute. Final score 4-2 to LCS.

Steve Bratt

Director of Sport