Year 7 Football Tournament

Thursday 5^th December saw Great Marlow School host the first competitive tournament of the season. Schools from all over the district were invited to participate in a well organised football festival.  12 teams entered the 7 a-side tournament attracting notable sporting schools like Wye Valley, John Hampden and Princes Risborough. This meant tough group fixtures for the ever improving Great Marlow School teams.

GMS A team and GMS B team both got off to flying starts.  GMS A secured a vital opening game 3 point lead against St Michaels. Callum Ashby was on target to ensure GMS A won the first match 1-0. The first game of the tournament for GMS B and GMS C saw them go head to head against each other. It turned out to be a clinical start for GMS B as Rease Wing smashed two powerful shots into the back of the net within the first 2 minutes of the match. GMS C had a near impossible task in containing the explosive GMS B team: the game was put beyond doubt when Harry Williams scored his first goal of the tournament. Freddie Knowles Baker wrapped up the rout just before the end of the game. He came on as substitute and, with the first touch of the ball, he negotiated a sublime finish by sending it into the roof of the net.  GMS C team battled hard throughout the game but GMS B were professional and ruthless in their play.

Game 2 was a similar affair for GMS B team, who were 4-0 winners, again, against Cressex. Freddie …. opened the scoring before Sam Parry slid home the second from an acute angle. Harry Williams scored the third, Rease Wing completed the demolition with a top corner belter.

GMS A faced a tough test in their second game against Princes Risborough. Goal keeper, James Ashburner, was the star of the show keeping the Princes at bay with a man of the match performance earning his side a point as the game finished 0-0. GMS A was proving a very hard team to defeat.

GMS C faced another tough fixture against eventual semi-finalists John Hampden, who managed to get the better of a hard working GMS C team. It must be noted that GMS C team battled hard throughout and did not let their heads drop. Star performer, Charlie Topping, rallied the troops for their final 2 games.

Game 3 of the tournament involved the GMS A and B teams  facing John Hampden B and A teams respectively. This was an extremely tense affair: both teams enjoying playing quality football. The game was settled in the final minute when Rease Wing’s volley was too hot for the John Hampden keeper to handle. Captain Luke Mantle, defender Tom Hamelink and Mohsin Sharif all produced stellar performances, stopping the opponents star players from having a shot on target.

GMS A took on Highcrest in their 3^rd game: final score 0-0 draw to earn a valuable point. Jack Delgado gained many plaudits after his exceptional vision resulted in him passing from midfield.

GMS C faced Ramsay in Game 3, knowing only a win would do, if they were to progress to the knock out rounds. They pushed on but were eventually undone with a counter attack from Ramsay that, unfortunately, put the game and the tournament to bed. The team gained respect from their opposition and peers with a never say die attitude and exceptional sporting behaviour.

Game 4 for GMS A was crucial; losing was not an option if they wanted to progress to the semi-finals. They faced much fancied John Hampden who was on maximum points in their group. A gallant battle commenced, superb saves from James Ashburner and organised defending from the whole team secured another 0-0 draw and an utterly vital point for GMS A. They would have to wait for the tournament organisers to tot up the points before knowing their fate.  After a tense wait, a jubilant GMS team were through on goal difference to the knock out stages. Astute defensive performances made the difference in this group.

GMS B, already through to the semis, made sure they maintained their clean sheet record while they conserved energy by containing Ramsay to a 0-0 draw. Goal keeper, Finley Martin, with two crucial saves, maintained their unbeaten record. They finished the group with 10 points;  9 goals scored 0 conceded.

GMS C wrapped up their tournament against Cressex with some outstanding defending and brilliant passing making a final game spectacle. It was, however, an unfortunate ending as Cressex scored with the final kick of the game.

The semi-finals were between the remaining GMS teams and John Hampden. Unfortunately, GMS A was to play GMS B, while John Hampden A was to play John Hampden B. This squashed the dream of head coaches, Tom Preston and Josh Charles, who both wanted to see their teams in the final.

The battle commenced, and an exhibition of fabulous football was watched by all. Fluid movement and short one- touch passing made this a game of total football. Both teams showed their excellent technical abilities. Sadly, there had to be a winner and that day it was the GMS B team, who secured their place in the final when Harry Williams, pouncing on a block from GMS A defenders, side footed the ball home into the roof of the net. No mercy was taken. GMS A had had their chances but the game was put beyond all doubt with a final minute strike from top scorer Rease Wing, whose ferocious volley almost ripped the net.

GMS A went on to face John Hampden B in the 3^rd place play off, while GMS B took on  John Hampden A in a mouth-watering final.

The 3rd place play off was another tense affair. GMS A were difficult to break down due to man of the match performances from Gabriel Hickling. Unfortunately, John Hamden stole a goal and left GMS A with little time to respond and the game finished 1-0.

The final saw the two big guns battle it out. Neither team had lost a game and GMS B had not even conceded a goal.  A frantic start saw tough tackles from Tom Hamelink and territorial dominance from GMS B; this, however, proved to be their down fall. An attacking move broke down. A quick kick from the John Hampden goal keeper led to a swift 4 touch counter attack, and, as quick as a blink, the ball was in the back of the net. GMS B strived to win. Playing with 5 strikers they dominated position and created the most chances but were, again, punished by the pacey counter attack of John Hampden. The game finished 3-0.

Head coaches, Tom Preston and Josh Charles, are excited at the prospect of having all 3 teams play as one. Surely, this school is destined for greatness after such performances in their first time out together. Thanks and praise are sent to everybody who participated or volunteered because it made the tournament hugely successful.