U11 Footballers Compete for Top Spot at St George's Park
As the wind blew the flurries of snow across the top of the hill at Repton School, Derbyshire, the ISFA Football Escapes U11 Sevens Regional Football Tournament kicked off. Braving the elements 10 players, from Forms 5 and 6, played six matches to try and earn a top spot in the national finals to be held later in the year at St. George's Park, proud home to all of England’s national football teams.
The first fixture against Nottingham High, saw Eversfield dominate play for large periods of the game and hold on to a slender 1-0 lead for the win. After this the team played Fairfield. Eversfield struggled to get hold of the ball as Fairfield played quickly, and showed great determination to win the ball back, when they were out of possession. A tough game, ending in a 3-0 win to Fairfield, who would go on to win the tournament.
After the loss it was time to regroup and get back to the form shown in the first match. This happened in patches against our next opponent Milton Keynes Prep. From a winning position of 1-0, we went 2-1 down, but kept working hard to level the game at 2-2 by the final whistle. The fixtures came thick and fast, and Wellingborough were up next. The team quickly got into their stride and by half time were up by two goals. Eversfield continued to dominate play in the second half, but could not add to their goal tally; a 2-0 win. Next up Warwick Prep. This was a tight game with both Warwick and Eversfield enjoying dominant spells in the game. It was Warwick who broke the deadlock first and it was that single goal that decided the game; 1-0 to Warwick.
The final fixture saw Eversfield play Witham Hall. Eversfield were back to their best, dominating play and passing the ball around with great fluidity. There were plenty of chances in front of goal, but it was not until the second half that Eversfield finally made the breakthrough. The final result, 1-0 to Eversfield.
At the end of play the team had won 3, drawn 1 and lost 2. Not enough to make the finals, but we did finish a very respectable mid table, with only two points separating us and second place.