Year 7 Football boys battle into National Cup 5th Round!
The Sirius Academy Year 7 Football team continued their fantastic start to their Sirius careers by reaching the final 64 teams in the ESFA Playstation Schools National Cup with a battling win over Temple Moor (Leeds). The team who are undefeated in Sirius colours, were made to work hard for their win with a late goal securing their place in the next round with the upcoming draw to reveal their next opponents.
Sirius started the match at blistering speed, opening up the Temple Moor defence with quick smart passing. In the 2nd minute a superb cut through ball from Harry Wallis found Jack Cutler who calmly slotted the ball under the on-rushing keeper for an early 1-0 lead. Sirius kept up the tempo with Wallis creating chances, along with Josh Smith who stepped up from the back to fire a 25 yard shot just over. Oliver Walker smashed the ball onto the cross-bar from a goal-mouth scramble after another telling Carrington Walker cross, as Sirius battled to find a 2nd goal. At the back, Mason Palmer, in his 1st appearance out-field for the team produced a Man of the Match display, calmly dealing with everything thrown at him. Sirius then began to lose focus, with mistakes creeping in, allowing their opposition to grow in confidence. A mistake at the back saw the pacey Temple Moor forward race away and clip the ball over George Petty for 1-1.
The 2nd half saw a clear message of patience and quicker passing create a good opening 10 minutes for Sirius. Cutler saw plenty of the ball on the left, beating his man on several occasions with Alfie Sumpton hitting the post with a good effort. Wallis had a goal disallowed after smart play from Daniel Chadwick. Tom Overton reverted back to central defence, where he applied himself with his typical assured level, snuffing out any dangerous situations. Renaldas Sokolovas came on for an injured Walker and threw himself at every challenge needed to break up any counter-attacks. Petty in goal was alert to every danger, coming off his line when needed and kicking well. With time ticking on, it looked set for extra-time, however Sumpton broke clear and fed Cutler wide on the left-side of the box who smashed the ball high into the top corner to give Sirius their 2-1 win!
Please congratulate the following boys on their success, attitude and behaviour:
George Petty, Mason Palmer, Josh Smith, Oliver Walker, Tom Overton ©, Jack Cutler, Harry Wallis, Carrington Walker, Alfie Sumpton, Renaldas Sokolovas, Daniel Chadwick.
Special thanks to Martin Smith for his help coaching the team and to Danny Rouse, Cosi Basile and David Gordon for their support of the boys.