SPORTS

Cross Country and Football

Cross Country

On 11 March our Junior Team enjoyed a great race at the South East Championship in Harrow finishing third place!

Football update

The 1^st XI Football Team have enjoyed an excellent season where we have only lost three games to date and one of those was against the adult OA’s team. We lost in the first round of the County Cup to the eventual finalists and we play the District Cup Semi-Final on 28 March. If we win that (no mean feat against a strong Beaumont School side), it will be one of the best seasons for some time. Although our results will look better than average, our performances haven’t always matched the result. We have undoubtedly missed the quality and composure of Captain, Riccardo, who has limited time since signing for Coventry City professionally. We were also without England U19 Futsal player, Josh, for the majority of this term with either an injury or his England commitments so the fact we’ve still held our own without two very strong footballers shows something about the quality and resilience of those who were available. Special mention must go to Mikey, who has captained the side as a Lower Sixth Form student and also to Bryn who has stepped up excellently into the very big shoes left behind by Ricardo. Charlie and Tomi on the wings have also given us plenty of attacking opportunities and the future certainly looks bright for next year.

Mr Ilott, Head of Football

The U15s have had another successful season, with the highlight being the excellent cup run. Townsend School were swiftly dispatched 7-3 in the early round, with Samuel claiming a well deserved hat-trick. The quarter-final against Roundwood Park proved to be a more difficult endeavour, and with the game level at 1-1 after normal time, the teams were unable to be separated after ten minutes of extra time and a penalty shootout loomed. The five boys who stepped up to take a penalty all put them away with aplomb, and Daniel provided an excellent save to deny Roundwood Park and send St Albans School to the semi-final. Katherine Warington School provided a tough opposition and thanks to some excellent poaching from Ollie, St Albans School hung on to win 2-1 and march on to the final against Sir John Lawes School. A tough first half battling against a strong opposition and an even stronger Woollams wind saw St Albans School trail 3-0 at the break. The boys showed a superb level of resilience and discipline in the second half, creating some excellent chances, but a lack of execution in front of goal meant these did not come to fruition. Zachary, however, scored the goal of the tournament firing a 50-yard free kick into the top corner which restored some pride and got St Albans School deservedly on the scoresheet. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough and despite continuous pressure, Sir John Lawes School held on to win 3-1. Throughout the season, the entire squad has demonstrated an excellent attitude and worked incredibly hard as a team, led superbly by James.

Mr Fulford-Brown, Master in charge U15 team