Tightly fought contest at NSB for the U15s - Sponne Football

Tightly fought contest at NSB for the U15s, but are just edged out of the County Cup

Wednesday 3^rd October 2018

The Sponne U15 footballers travelled to NSB for a first round Northamptonshire Schools County Cup tie.  On the back of two slack first half performances, all focus was on starting the game well, working hard and pressing as a team.

Motivational words from Mr. Trusler set the tone on arrival at NSB, before the team went through a full warm-up drill, led by Mr. Cornelius, assisted by Ben Dimond and Luke Desborough.  We were fully ready to battle and compete, and an excellent 70 minutes of football was to be played.

We conceded early as the striker slipped through the defensive line and received the ball in the perfect position; all that was needed was all that was provided by the player as he headed the ball into the goal.  We soon fought back, with an Alfie Harcombe equaliser, centre of the box, finishing on the turn from a Charlie Wood cross on the right.

NSB retook the lead, a sweet volley at the back post, from the right-side cross.  But Sponne continued to press, lots of joy as Alfie, Ethan and Charlie linked up well.  Another equaliser as Wood drilled in a shot, from the right, into the opposite corner of the goal; unstoppable!  We conceded again at the break, to trail 3-2.

A tense opening to the second half saw NSB gain a two goal cushion; from a free-kick on the halfway line, played into the box, and their striker went through unchallenged.  Heads did not drop, as Harcombe played in a corner, for Luke Desborough to pop up from the left to smash it home.

At 4-3 it was anyone’s game, but NSB nicked another goal from the middle; 5-3.  Soon after kick-off Sponne were back on the attack, Harcombe made a superb run to pick up the ball just after half way, and run through the back line, only to slot it just millimetres left of the goal.  NSB went back on the attack to score and secure the win.

Pressure was applied through the back line throughout the whole game and the intensity was high unlike at Stowe; just two days previous. The team worked well together and a 6-3 defeat to a team full of talented players; a great result for the team!

The team are looking forward to the next match they will play and feel they have the ability to secure victories over Campion.

Match Report by Alfie Harcombe, Tom Earnshaw & Ano Primus