Physical and mental strength has brought success to CHS’s U15 footballers who are on their way to the ISFA National Cup Finals!
The first time CHS has ever reached a National final in football across all age groups, the team put in a fantastic performance to win their ISFA National Semi-final match against Ardlingly College 2-1.
CHS Director of Sport, Mr Matt Higgins said: “It was a very competitive game with both teams playing some excellent football in difficult conditions.”
Playing at Home in front of a large group of spectators, CHS started strongly and took an early lead with a goal from Max Haughton before Ardingly – a school with a strong football pedigree having won the cup a number of times previously – equalised shortly after.
Both teams had good spells in the first 45minutes before CHS began to dominate in the second half.
James Whelan was rewarded for an excellent performance with a well-taken second goal for CHS, 5 minutes from the final whistle. Resolute defending allowed the team to hold on for a well-deserved victory.
The team are now heading to the final which will take place at 6pm on 15th March 2018 at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium.
CHS Football Coach, Mr Martin Cooke said: “The boys have prepared very well physically and mentally in the last few months and had a first class attitude on the day of the game. The students have grown together as a group throughout the cup run and have developed a resilience to set backs. I am delighted with their achievement.”
He continued: “CHS has had other teams get close before in similar games but these have often ended in glorious defeats. The boys in this situation took a really positive mental approach towards the fixture. They approached it without self-doubt and focused instead on the best possible outcomes. They were very disciplined in their positions and showed excellent commitment throughout. I am hugely proud of what they have achieved so far however I know that they, as players, and we, as coaches, will not be happy with settling for a final place. We are in it to win it.”
