Wirral U14 Cup Winners!!

Well Done and congratulations to the Wirral Year 9 team in their final played at Calday Grange.  On a windy cold morning at Calday, the Wirral boys turned up in changing room 4 in anticipation of the game ahead, except Parso. But the vice captain arrived well in time for the warm up!  We had a good warm up with everyone prepared for the big occasion.  A good crowd had come to support the boys and were vocal from the side hoping we could do this business.

We started superbly and within this first two minutes we were passing the ball to each other and attacking the Calday Dee.  As we progressed down the right with Crane and Lamen the ball was played across the Dee for Roberts to finish smartly from about 6 yards out.  The perfect start!!  We continued to press and we were beginning to dominate the first half, some solid work from McGilloway saw us continue to attack the circle.  We won a couple of corners that really just needed touches from close range.  But another short corner came about and Wilkinson shot on his reverse stick and the ball made it's way into the far corner, amazingly 2-0.  This was definitely going to be our day as Calday had a break away chance which saw them have a reverse stick shot that came off the underside of the bar, with Parsons clearing with Dobson to the side of the pitch.  The next attack saw the ball played from Wilkinson up to a battling Gouldson who turned and fed Roberts, who then had a Thierry Henry like chance and finished the one on one with the goalkeeper with aplomb!  We were in dream land but as the half progressed we just kept going at the Calday team and further chances, especially for Lewin and opportunities from corners for Wilkinson and Crane.  It was quite possibly the best half of hockey I have ever seen at Wirral Grammar School.

What to say at half time was the question, but more of the same was in order.  Cartwright made way for Graham after not having much to do, but Graham didn't touch the ball in the second half as we worked hard in defence.  There were other opportunities for Gouldson as we maintained our dominance of the game.  The effort levels were fantastic and with every player playing their part it showed what hard work over the last four weeks can do!  We were deserved of our 3-0 win and we will now have the semi final of the north west region against a Cumbrian school for a place in the final against the Lancashire or Cheshire winners.

There is plenty more to come from these fellas, well done to everyone involved,  Mr Cooper, Mr Thomason and all of the parents and supporters.  I will keep you informed of the next game and of our progress.

AJM