CHS’s U11s football team are off to the AJIS Cup Final after a 4-3 win vs Birkenhead School in the semi-finals. Junior School Boys’ Games & Fixtures Coordinator, Mr Jonny Cartwright reports…
After a convincing 6-2 quarter-final victory over St. Ambrose Preparatory school, CHS’s U11 football team travelled to Birkenhead School on the Wirral for the semi-final of the AJIS Cup.
In cold conditions, on an uneven and difficult surface due to a previously fallen tree, #TeamCHS took to the field. Birkenhead showed strength in the early exchanges and it was clear to see that both teams deserved their spots in the semi-finals.
It wasn’t long before CHS edged ahead; Bollingbroke fired a powerful shot at the Birkenhead keeper who parried only for Dickinson to tap in at the far post.
The ball went back and forth with strong tackles in midfield until Pimlott made a break down the left wing earning his team a corner. Pimlott followed up with an excellent corner, Uprichard climbed above the defence and headed the ball straight into the back of the net, Birkenhead 0 – 2 CHS.
The game continued with Birkenhead showing strength and determination out wide, continuously denied by Pimlott and Iddon, playing as wing backs, and by a number of outstanding saves from Pozzoni.
After another scrappy exchange in the Birkenhead box Dickinson managed to dink another ball past the keeper, 3-0.
Lowe came on at centre back, allowing a reshuffle and a rest for Pimlott who had been tearing up and down his wing. He immediately made a brilliant tackle, found Davies who drove up the pitch eventually passing to Bollingbroke who was rewarded with a goal of his own, beating the keeper with power and finesse off his lethal left foot that bagged him 4 in the quarters.
Birkenhead continued to probe at the CHS defence looking more threatening as the game progressed, they were eventually rewarded with a goal of their own just before half time when miscommunication lead to a CHS defender running straight in front of keeper Pozzoni, blocking his line of sight.
Birkenhead started the second half as they finished the first, passing the ball well and driving at the CHS defence. O’shea, Lowe and Iddon worked tirelessly defending the Birkenhead attacks down the right wing but the home team eventually found a way through, 4-2.
CHS allowed their heads to drop for a brief spell and Birkenhead exploited this lull and scored from a great strike.
Iddon was quick to pick his team mates up, confirming with Mr Offord on the sidelines to change formation to play four at the back and ‘park the bus’.
The last four minutes of the game saw Pozzoni make a number of great saves and when others’ legs were beginning to tire Iddon reached another level, not giving the attackers an inch of space, taking possession and providing excellent long balls for Bollingbroke to hold the ball upfield.
The whistle blew, much to Mr Cartwright and Mr Offord’s relief, Birkenhead 3 – 4 CHS. Both teachers were extremely proud of all 9 players that played their parts in this fixture, they played well as a group and helped each other through to victory against accomplished opponents.
Davies captained the team well, Pozzoni made countless saves, Pimlott’s pace was phenomenal but there was not question from the staff that Iddon’s defensive performance earned him Man Of The Match.
The team are now through to the Final of the AJIS Cup where they will face either Bolton School or King’s Chester.
Team:
James Pozzoni
Oliver Pimlott
Oliver Davies(Capt)
Archie Iddon
Finn Dickinson
Jackson Uprichard
Teix Bolingbroke
Ben Lowe
Finlay O’Shea
