Sir Harry SmithCommunity College

The team had the perfect record going into the final having won all their group games and putting in a strong
performance to win their semi-final back in November. Their route to the final started in October when they played
their first two group games. They comfortably beat The Peterborough School 11-0 and then played superbly to beat
Nene Park Academy, who are always one of the favourites, 4-1. Moving into November the team knew a win or draw
against QKA would see them into the semi-final for the second year running. The team battled hard against a strong
QKA side and came out deserved 2-1 winners on the day and secured a place in the semi-finals. The day of the semifinal arrived, and the Year 10 side put in another great team performance to dispatch TDA 5-2 although it was a very tight game until a few late goals made the game safe.

So, onto the final and the team arrived in good spirits and with the opportunity to be the first Sir Harry Smith team to
win a football competition for a very very long time!! Ken Stimpson Academy were the team standing in their way of
glory. The first exchanges of the game were in favour of KSA, who started the much better side. The ball broke to their
winger about 25 yards out from goal, who hit a wonderful strike into the bottom corner. We were one-nil down and
losing a game for the first time in the whole competition. How would the team respond to this??

The answer to that was: quite brilliantly. The goal seemed to shake the cobwebs off, and the momentum switched, the
side became more combative and started to play good football leading to some good chances on goal. It was this
excellent interplay that led to the first goal. Moving the ball nicely down the right we got Tommy into space who
crossed the ball with pace to Presley, who had taken up a great position to send the ball into the net. 1-1.

Not long after this Presley won a free kick in a dangerous position. He took the kick and sent in a dipping shot which
was difficult for the keeper to deal with. He spilt the ball and after a few attempts, Tommy tapped the ball home, and
we were in the lead. 2-1.

Into the second half, we started slowly but soon picked up. Thomas made an excellent kick out of his hands which was
flicked on by Tommy straight into the path of Finley who took the ball forwards and expertly lobbed the goalkeeper. 3-1
and just the cushion we were after.

The team kept pushing for more goals and created plenty of chances that just did not fall our way. Eventually we got the fourth goal. Jack, on one of his many marauding runs forward, beat several players before putting a great cross in for Tommy to volley in to make it four. 4-1.

Thomas had an excellent game in goal and put the icing on the cake with an excellent penalty save. It was a well struck
penalty into the bottom corner that he saved and held. Throughout the game he held onto many shots and crosses,
thwarting danger each time. Thank goodness Miss Tyson headed over with his gloves after he left them in the changing room at SHS!

Jack, Jack, Harry, and Jaiden were solid in defence for the whole game, winning headers and made some wonderful last ditch tackles. The midfield of Presley, Jacob, Zach, Jenson, and Caleb worked hard to win the ball back and caused their defence many problems with their attacking passes and runs forwards. Tommy, Fin, and Ryan were a constant threat up front drawing the keeper into many saves and making great runs into dangerous spaces.

Tommy must have been the top scorer in the competition with an incredible total of 14 goals in 5 games. The team
scored 26 goals and only conceded 5 goals in 5 games. A fitting way to become the first Sir Harry Smith Football team to win the Peterborough Cup in years, I am sure you will agree!

A huge well done and massive congratulations to all the students involved in the games! You deserved this victory!