John Cabot Academy

Y9 Football – didn’t they do well!

The Y9 boys’ football team played their semi final match on Thursday this week, at home to The Grange. This was the Bristol and South Glos equivalent of the Champions League semis, the team having won their group stage and then their quarter final match.  Mr Thomas says:  “Their opponents came second in the national cup last year so we knew they would be tough opposition.  All week the boys have said they didn’t stand a chance especially without 5 of the normal first team players.  By the law of averages, we probably shouldn’t even be on the same pitch.  But we were, and boy did the team give everything they physically had, near collapsing at the end.  I wanted to keep it down to less than 10 – 0, 5-0 would be outstanding.  Within a minute we were 1 down… but to my utter happiness, they listened, believed in the team talk and came back to 1-1.  Incredible!  Sadly, we finished the match losing 2-1, making it our first defeat of the season.  The lads put in everything they had, polite in front of difficult opposition; they did everything I asked and more.  I’m so proud of them, the way they conducted themselves, the effort and the passion.  I’m also pleased that many staff had the time to come down and watch.  You saw the greatest footballing achievement this school has had in the last 10 years!  The furthest we have got and to lose by only 1 goal to the second best team in the COUNTRY!  Very well done to all the lads on the team.”