King James Cup 2012

April 2012

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Staff at King James 1st Academy showed their true class as they convincingly beat a Sixth formers side consisting of current and past pupils, 14-0. It was a daunting task for the 6th Form team who were facing a team with ex professionals, northern league players, and North-East of England 5-a-side champions amongst their ranks.

The match was played on the Cemetery Pitch at the back of the school, which, due to heavy rain, was heavy with the ball likely to fly across the slippery surface. The game kicked off, and immediately the staff to the lead through and fine strike by Scott Connell.

Commentry from the Second Half - J. Middleton

Then the game changed, the students looked a lot more comfortable on the ball and they got their opportunity through a good passage of attacking play, which resulted with the unfortunate Mr Stephenson handling the ball in the penalty area. Keegan D stepped up to take the resulting penalty kick, a powerful strike sent to the bottom right corner of the goal, but Mr Shearer was equal to the shot and made an important save to preserve the staff's one goal advantage.

For the next 15 minutes, the game became a fight for possession in the centre of the pitch; both teams trying to create chances but nothing would prevail for either side. The 6th form midfield started to organise themselves and were prepared to battle and contest for every ball. Suddenly though a goal came, Mr Brown's shot finding the bottom corner from just outside the penalty area to put the staff team two nil.

The goal seemed to have a positive effect on the staff as they grabbed 3 more goals in 10 minutes from Mr Wales, Mark C, and Scott C before a great strike from fully 25 yards from Mr Raitt, who had just been brought on for the staff team, beat the keeper as it dipped just below the bar to make it 6 nil with five minutes of the first half remaining.

Seconds before the half-time whistle, solid centre-back Mr Owens found the net, after an impressive run which started in his own half, to take the staff into the break leading 7-0.

The teams kicked off again for the second half, the Sixth Formers settled and started passing the ball around as they had in the first. They looked comfortable with Ashley R and Daniel W in particular showing nice touches and composure when in possession. It took the teachers team 20 minutes to find the net due to the renewed determination and resilience of the 6th Formers back four and midfield, ultimately however a mad 15 minutes saw them concede 6 goals, 4 of which came within 7 minutes of each other; all coinciding with the influence of ex-professional footballer Mr Raitt.

STAFF SQUAD

Mr Shearer, Mr Fox, Mr Stephenson, Mr Bishop, Mr Owens, Mr Raitt, Mr Brown, Mr Saunders, Mr Laybourn, Mr Wales, Mr Potter, Mr. S. Connell, Mr. M. Connell

GOALSCORERS

Mr. Wales (3), Mr. S Connell (2), Mr Owens (2), Mr Raitt (2), Mr Laybourn, Mr Brown, Mr. M Connell, Mr. Saunders, D Longstaff (6th form) (og)

Thank You.

1) A big thank you from both teams goes to Mr Middleton, who donated both his time and effort in helping to organise and carry out the very enjoyable match commentary.

2) Also a big thank, again from both teams, to George B (Year 9) for his accurate analysis and detailed match report.