Year 9 Boys Football – District Runners-Up

Millbrook Academy 1 – 3 St Peters

The Year 9 Millbrook Academy team have just finished their most successful campaign to date. They easily qualified for the semi-final after disposing of Churchdown and Gloucester Academy, and drawing 1-1 with St Peters.

The semi-final saw an away trip to Crypt, the boys showed fantastic character and determination to win 3-1 after being 1-0 down after 15 minutes of the first half. Goals from Lewis Fogg, Wakib Said and Sheldon Herbert sealed the victory.

Having already played St Peters in the group stage it was to be a re-match for the final at Dowty Staverton. Debuting the new school kit supplied by the Premier League Players Kit Scheme, the boys started the match in a positive manner. Having dominated possession for the opening 10 minutes Millbrook twice came close to opening the scoring but failed to convert their chances.

Mid-way through the first half St Peters opened the scoring, having had an earlier goal ruled out for offside. A long ball into the box was inadvertently turned goalwards by a Millbrook defender, and after a small deflection goalkeeper Jack Holmes was unable to keep this one out. He had already made a fine save from a St Peters free-kick to keep the game goalless.

Approaching half-time and a combination of good play from St Peters and some missed clearances saw St Peters add a further two goals to their tally. Half-time Millbrook 0-3 St Peters.

Millbrook started the second half brightly and a change in formation seemed to even out the game, with chances few and far between for both teams. Millbrook were looking tighter at the back but needed to attack to try and reduce the deficit.

With 4 minutes remaining Millbrook’s persistence paid off as Jordan Molyneux rounded the ‘keeper to slot into an empty net. Unfortunately it was too little, too late and the final whistle brought a close to a competitive final.

The Millbrook players can be proud of their display, and on another day a performance to the same standard could’ve easily produced a positive result. We must remember that St Peters have over 120 boys from which to choose their team whereas we only have 50, so getting to the final in itself is a massive achievement.

A big thank you to the staff, students and parents who came to support the team. We will back next year looking for more success!