Hull Schools U.18 Football Final (and Semi-Final Humberside U.18 Cup)
Hull Schools U.18 Football Final( and Semi-Final Humberside U.18 Cup) . Sirius Denied Win But Gain Moral Victory And Have To Replay! ( Sirius 3 St.Mary’s 3)
The Sirius U.18 Football Team were denied a deserved victory against main rivals St.Mary’s in the final of the U.18 Hull Schools Cup ( also doubling up as the semi-final of the Humberside Cup).
Sirius had dispatched Arcbishop Sentamu in the semi-final but St.Mary’s were another proposition having a developed ‘Football Academy’- Sirius with a limited number of players to call upon in the sixth-form and made up of further year eleven players, were very much the ‘underdogs’.
Sirius started the game slowly and found themselves conceding a very early goal and very much on the ‘back foot’. Tactically we were naïve and chasing the game until the team worked extremely hard to establish a pattern of play and through this came a breakaway goal with Matthew Meakin using his pace to get free and equalise with a cool finish.
The equaliser gave the team a boost and the confidence was starting to grow and at the same time becoming aware of St.Mary’s weaknesses. This was exploited by a quick counter-attacking move which saw Joesph Wood move out wide and then cut inside to smash a drilled shot into the far corner of the opposition’s net! A great response to being a goal down –Sirius led 2-1 at the interval with St.Mary’ s in a state of shock!
The defence had been well marshalled by Stephen Pougher in goal and the back four of Ryan Carrington, Adam Kelsey, Callum Baker, and Ryan Hill. Robbie Hird stood firm in front of the back four with Joesph Wood, Alex Appleby, Luke Salas and Jimmy Burgess in midfield and Mattew Meakin as a sole striker.
In the second half Sirius continued to work seriously hard in an extremely entertaining game. However, Sirius succumbed to a well worked goal and found themselves level again.
A response was required again and this was delivered through the enigmatic Luke Salas who waltzed his way past several defenders to smartly fire the ball into the corner of the net!
Could we hold on?
Bravely Sirius maintained the lead but were denied a win in the closing stages with St.Mary’s equalising late on to make it 3-3. Even then we had a great chance to win the game through Alex Appleby but his effort was saved by the legs of the opposing goalkeeper.
The final whistle came about and then strangely the referee could not stay any longer at the game. It was mutually decided that to be fair to all concerned that the game would be replayed – although a disappointing outcome.
A great and entertaining game at this level with our boys deserving much credit including the substitutes in Dylan Rawlings; Cameron Morfitt and Jacob Horner.
Please congratulate all concerned.
The replay will be played at St.Mary’s next Tuesday with a 4.15 kick-off.
Many thanks as always to Martin Smith with his support with the team.
Many thanks to Jonathon White and Lewis Jarvis in making the effort to support the boys on a Friday afternoon/evening.
