As is now a tradition, the Year 13 leavers faced the staff football team in a fiercely-contested duel on Wednesday 2 April 2014. First blood was drawn in the 25th minute as the Sixth Form took a deserved lead, with James Ashie firing an unstoppable low shot past Mr. Ardron. Just five minutes later, controversy struck as the Staff were awarded a contentious penalty, much to the dismay of the crowd. This didn’t stop Mr Newton coolly slotting it home to draw the sides level. Up until that point, the Sixth Form had largely dominated, particularly down the wings as the Staff struggled to get into the match.
The game remained pretty even until just after half time, where a Mr Ardron mistake allowed Younes Arif to bundle the ball in. However, the Staff struck back again less than three minutes later through an outstanding free kick from the edge of the penalty box by Mr Newton, leaving the goalkeeper no chance as it nestled in the top corner. In the 62nd minute, the Sixth Form believed that they had taken the lead for a third time, only for the linesman to rule the header out for offside. This appeared to deflate the Sixth Form, as the Staff piled on the pressure, looking particularly dangerous from Mr McAlinden’s long throw-ins.
Other than forcing a good stop from substitute goalkeeper Mr. Dorris, the Sixth Form barely threatened, and it was only a matter of time before the Staff took the lead for the first time, as Mr Newton completed his hat-trick with a calm finish when clean through. The game largely fizzled out after that, as the Staff battled to keep their lead. The game was killed off in the 81st minute when Mr Shirley scored a penalty. It finished 4-2 to the Staff, with both sets of teams congratulating each other after a pulsating match. Well done to everyone who participated!
Tags: 2013-14, Astroturf, Football, PE, Sixth Form, Staff, Year 13
