On Wednesday 18 September, our Year 11 boys football team travelled to Brookfield Community School to take part in the first round of the Hampshire Cup.  After such a successful season last year, the boys were hoping to test their skills at a higher level, and that is exactly what the game turned out to be.  

In the first half, Carisbrooke struggled to get control of the game. It was thanks to Gabe in goal pulling out save after save, and the defenders throwing themselves in front of shots, that the game stayed goalless.  With Benji carrying on this spirit, he unfortunately blocked one too many shots and had to be replaced at centre back due to a serious knee injury. With chances not coming easily for Carisbrooke, Owen had to cover a lot of ground up front by himself. However, his determination paid off when he closed down their keeper and blocked a clearance which bounced into the goal, giving Carisbrooke a 1-0 lead. 

Just before the end of the first half, Brookfield managed to put together a good bit of passing which eventually led to them breaking into the box and tying the game.  With momentum building for Broookfield, Oli took it upon himself to put in some crunching tackles which seemed to ignite the team just when it looked like Carisbrooke were against the ropes.

The second half saw a more assembled approach by Carisbrooke and the boys started to play their style of football.  With Euan starting to spread the play and boss the midfield more, Oakleigh beginning to see more success down the left, along with Flynn on the right causing problems for their defenders, Carisbrooke created more going forward.  However, it was against the run of play that Brookfield managed to take the lead moments after Euan had struck the post from the penalty spot.  With Jim and Tyler putting in an incredible shift at the back, Ackeem putting in tackle after tackle, and Theo leading like a captain at right back with confidence, passion and determination to drive the team forward, Carisbrooke did not let falling behind stop them believing.  With Clyde covering every blade of grass and producing the tackle of the game according to Mr Westby, Euan and Oli in the middle of the park gave Brookfield a constant problem to keep responding to.  Owen was rewarded after a ball came over the top from midfield which he pounced on and, just by getting there before the keeper, he was able to lift it over the rushing keeper to tie the game back up.  With time running out and more changes due to an injury to Oli, the game looked destined to go to a penalty shootout.  

Despite every effort from the opposition, Gabe just kept on denying them with world-class save after world-class save, which eventually earned him the Man of the Match and a few stud marks.  

With two minutes left to play, Riley, Oakleigh and Euan linked for some good passing play. Flynn constantly adapted to different positions to cover where was needed and Carisbrooke managed one more attack as Oakleigh broke free of the last defender. The keeper came rushing out and took him clean out, giving Carisbrooke another penalty.  With Theo stepping up and slotting the ball into the top right corner, Carisbrooke just needed to hold on, and that is what the boys did.  

After a great victory, and some dodgy singing on the way back, the boys returned home with more injuries and cramps than was ideal, but when they look back on it, they can be proud in the knowledge that they really did put in one of the greatest team performances in Carisbrooke history. The boys were a credit throughout the day. Thank you to Mr Westby for his inspiring team talks and running the line throughout the game.  I am looking forward to the next round already.

Mr Peake