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The 'Hammers' London Cup, 3rd Round Vs St Aloysius
January 2009
Year 8 Football – London Cup, Round 3
Bow School 3 – 1 St Aloysius
After safely winning our second round match against Eastbrook we had a very different challenge in round three. The next challenge came in the form of St Aloysius – a very good team who I was informed won this cup last season!
Preparation for this game didn’t go exactly to plan as one of our players, Paul informed me he was unable to play, however, this opened the door for two young year 7 boys to join the squad; James Holland Malcolm and Franco. As a direct replacement to Paul, Franco came straight onto the side.
The game was played on a very boggy pitch in difficult conditions, it was clear the light would fade quickly and, if there was not a result in normal time, it was likely to go straight to penalties, missing the traditional extra-time. This combined with the boys recognising some of the opposition led to their being some pre-match nerves. That said, as soon as the game got started it was clear Bow boys were up for the fight, chasing everything, pressing every player and not missing a tackle – non more so than the impressive central midfield duo of Tyrone and the Captain Callum. Early on St Aloysius looked the better side, pushing down both flanks but Bow stood strong, marshalled by the very brave keeper, Jamie.
After the first ten minutes Bow started to assert themselves more and more with particularly good combination work down the left hand side by Kayn and Dejuan. Going forward, Mohammed was finding it difficult, against a very good defender, to get space and break past him, it was clear this game was going to be tight to the end. The only chance to speak of in the first half for Bow was a counter attack move - a long ball form defence collected by Mohammed, who for the first time in the game escaped his marker before shooting just wide.
Half-Time
Bow boys were buzzing at half-time, feeling they could win this game, one change was made – Franco moved up front and Harry dropped into midfield – Callum and Thomas then rallied the troops.
It wasn’t long into the second half when the game came alive! Harry put a ball into the box that was clear to just outside the area, there appeared to be no danger but then, after one bounce, Franco stepped into the ball and hit a volley top corner, a screamer! The boys were elated but then rightly warned by the referee to calm down their celebrations.
From this point on the solid Bow defence of Jay, Darian, Thomas and Dejuan had to stand firm to continuing pressure, Bow as a team were not going to give in easily. A substitution was made soon after, with James replacing the hard working Kayn. With his first touch James played a ball over the top to the willing Mohammed who ran past the last defender before drilling it home for a deserved goal and Bow’s second.
Two more substitutions were made soon after with Mitu and Ruhal joining the game, which was now all St Aloysius as Bow tried to hold on. Things finally gave as the visitors got a goal back. Nerves were on edge and we started to make a few mistakes. It looked more and more likely that this game was going to the wire…. and penalties!
That was until four minutes before time when Thomas picked the ball up in his own half, the midfielder, operating at centre back today, proceeded to beat a number of opponents in his own half before breaking down the left wing, he then cut inside to drill the ball under the keeper. 3-1 and game to Bow.
Full-time
Man of the Match: Dejuan Stewart (non-stop, defence to attack!)
An excellent performance and one that sets us up nicely to meet St Thomas Apostle school on Thursday 22nd January, good luck boys!