District Champions - Y7 Football April 2024

On Tuesday 23^rd April the Y7 football team were crowned district champions after beating Louth Academy 3-2 in the final at London Road, Louth. As the score line suggested it was a very closely contested match.

The team started brightly, however the team got caught out by a long goal kick, which landed at the feet of the Louth Academy striker who emphatically finished from close range. O. Broomhead in goal for QEGS had no chance in saving the shot. He went onto make some crucial saves during the match. The team captain L. Ratcliff didn’t let the team drop their heads, and rallied her teammates. It worked, as in a matter of minutes the equaliser was scored. S. Jolliffe was alert and latched onto a through ball by G. Brumby, he used his strength to hold off the defender before nonchalantly slotting the ball into the corner of the net. 1-1 and it was game on. This was S. Jolliffe 13^th goal of the season! The goal had given the team a major lift and there was a shift in attacking momentum. Moments later, QEGS were on the attack again with L. Lowman latching onto a pass inside Louth Academy’s penalty area. He intelligently moved the ball to the side of him inviting the defender to make a challenge. The defender accepted the invite, but instead of getting the ball, committed a foul on L. Lowman. The referee had no hesitation pointing to the penalty spot. L. Lowman brushed himself down to take the penalty, but unfortunately hit the shot down the middle where the goalkeeper remained. Half time 1-1.

I. Janney was introduced at half time (he would play a significant role later in the match) to give some fresh legs on the right hand side of midfielder. He replaced H. Watson, who as always worked tirelessly for the team. Both teams started the second half nervously; this showed as neither team could keep possession of the ball. Midway through the second half, Louth Academy won a corner. QEGS couldn’t clear their lines and it gave Louth Academy the opportunity to score to make it 2-2.

QEGS made a couple more substitutions with L. Peacock coming on in defence and A. Burt coming on in midfield. Both players showing excellent touches and bringing a calmness onto the pitch. These changes allowed O. Hanson to move onto the left hand side of midfield to provide a more attacking threat. Into the latter stages of the match and both teams had chances to score, but couldn’t find that killer instinct. The match was now heading into injury time and it looked like both teams had settled for extra time. However, O. Hanson had other ideas. He collected the ball on the left hand side and drove to the by-line going past a defender as if he wasn’t there. He then showed great composure to cut the ball back and there was I. Janney to smartly open up his body to guide the ball into the net away from the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper. Bedlam followed, I. Janney sprinted away to celebrate in front of the jubilant parents closely followed by his team mates. Once calmness was restored, F. Kimber and G. Carr made sure Louth Academy didn’t create another goal scoring opportunity. Both players were fantastic in defence throughout the match. Soon after, the final whistle blew. QEGS were the district champions! Player of the match was awarded to O. Hanson.

Mr Cope would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to Mr Randman for taking training every Monday lunchtime since September. H. Masters and J. Wold for training and managing the team, they did a great job. A final thank you to all the parents for their overwhelming support not only for attending (in great numbers) the final but for all the league matches too. The team really benefited from all the help involved. Roll on the league in Y8.