U11A Belper Tournament Runners Up

S.Anselm's 0-2 Burton H.C.

S.Anselm's 3-0 Belper H.C. (Nancy S 2, Jack M-M)

S.Anselm's 0-0 William Gilbert

S.Anselm's 1-1 Beeston H.C. (Freddie H) (S.Anselm's won 3-2 on penalties) SEMI-FINAL

S.Anselm's 0-1 Burton H.C. FINAL

Having unavoidably arrived late for the start of the tournament, we played poorly in our opening fixture … The performance against Belper H.C. was altogether better, though the opposition weren't as good as usual - make no mistake, however, that whilst we may not play these teams in our 'usual' day-to-day school matches, they are just as strong as the likes of Ranby and Foremarke Hall.

The switch of Elliott W into defence and Chloe R-S into midfield made a big difference in the second match as the trio of boys in midfield failed to make an impression against Burton. Just off the minibus and on an alien astro surface didn't help, but we just didn't fire in the opening game.

We had a long wait before playing William Gilbert, the 2006 champions (we played them that year too as a 'normal' school fixture - I'll try and get something organised this winter). The winner had a place in the semi-finals and a draw would suit us as, with equal goal difference, we had scored more goals … S.Anselm's were just on top, but it was a struggle. Freddie H worked well down the right wing, but needed to defend more in these early matches and he found it hard to put in a good cross, whilst Jack M-M battled hard but preferred a centre role rather than playing on the wing. The defence was sound, especially Hugo R who made one important save to a bouncing ball … it took us to the semi-final where his greatest hour was yet to come!

Freddie H scored against Beeston H.C., another top hockey club from Nottingham, as he struck the ball well across the goalkeeper who had little chance but with 15 seconds on the clock their right winger wasn't closed down (despite myself and Mr.Milligan-Manby shouting away …!) and the cross was a perfect one. Unfortunately our two defenders, marking the centre forward, failed to get the ball and a goal resulted. It came down to a penalty shoot out! We had a short practice and our three boys placed the ball inches inside the post … super!

Unfortunately in the actual shoot out they hit the ball to the goalkeeper, luckily Freddie H's crept in (see above photo). Beeston scored one, Hugo R saved one and one was put wide … sudden death! Hugo R made another excellent save before Nancy S hit wide. An even better save was made, very quick reactions to a good penalty, before Elliott W scored to put us into the final. Most of the team couldn't bare to watch! (see below - the moment Elliott scores!)

Burton H.C. deserved their success, they were the strongest team, but it was a shame that their centre forward kicked the ball into the net for their goal … who knows, another draw and we might have won, with experience of such an event, the forthcoming penalty shootout! We worked ever so hard in the closing matches, Gabriella T secure and reliable in defence, complimenting Elliott W well. We just failed to put our attacking moves together with the fluency that I have recently come to expect - as a result we only scored one goal outside of the Belper game. To narrowly lose the final, however, was a very pleasing overall result and the experience of an hour's astroturf hockey will have benefited you all for the rest of the season and beyond. Well done everyone - you deserved your silver medals, in the end!