U16 Boys v Ullswater CC
The U16 Boys made it to the County Cup Final after many years of getting so close. On reflection, this group of players haven’t actually lost to any team in regulation time in any County Cup Football matches since they joined us in Year 7. They were knocked out on penalties in semi or quarter finals every other year!
It was now their time to shine, and they deserved to lift this trophy more than any other team in the county given their record. The weather was that of a beautiful Cumbrian day, with winds at near tornado levels and rain sheeting down from the heavens. The poor April weather however failed to dampen the high spirits of the boys who had come with an unwavering attitude of positivity.
The first half began with the wind behind St Benedict’s meaning we felt that we had to take advantage of the conditions early on in the match. Keeping possession of the ball early on proved difficult in the conditions but after a back and forth start the boys settled into the game.
A counterattack provided the first goal for St Benedicts. Matty McLean making a superb one on one save which gave the opportunity for a quick break with a lofted ball over the top to Brad Colaluca, who calmly lobbed a charging goalkeeper from about 25 yards out.
This was the buffer that lads needed to calm their nerves and settle in to play their best football. Less than 10 minutes later another goal for St Benedict’s was netted by Keenan Mackay. The players were ecstatic, celebrating to the crowd with a team knee slide into the corner.
The half time whistle blew with St Benedict’s 2-0 up. We knew that the weather was going to play a huge factor on the game and that the second half was about to become much more difficult. As a result of that we decided to make some changes to the formation that the lads coped with very well. Early on into the half Ullswater managed to claw themselves a goal, again this had little to no effect on the mindset that everyone of the lads were in. They remained focussed, resilient and determined having to absorb waves of pressure from the Ullswater midfielders and forwards who now had the wind behind their back.
Try as the opposition might, they couldn’t break the defences of St Benedicts who kept the quality of their football very high. Time seemed to drag on and on until the sound of the final whistle catalysed an eruption of cheer from the players and supporters alike.
St Benedict’s had won the U16 County Cup and it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving bunch of teammates. Well done boys!!!
Well done to Ullswater who put in a very good performance themselves.
U16 Girls v Kirbie Kendal School
It was a nervous start by both teams but once the girls got in to the game St Benedicts started to dominate possession, playing in very difficult windy conditions.
They were strong at the back with Aarleah Robertson putting in some crucial tackles. Their creativity in midfield resulted in numerous goal scoring opportunities only to be denied by the excellent reflexes of the Kirkbie keeper.
With ten minutes to go Molly Blair managed to level the score with an exquisite chip.
The tempo set by the girls in the second half enabled them to play free flowing attacking football. With the wind behind them a wicked strike from Destiny Campbell saw St. Benedict’s take the lead.
Molly Butler got on the end of a cross by Angel Dockerty striking the ball for the first time from 6 yards out. St Benedict’s continued to build play from the back through Millie Clark, Olivia Atkinson and Lillia Gill passing the ball accurately to midfield duo Ava Greeson and Chelsea Callander.
Angel Dockerty picked up the ball on the left switching the ball from left to right before executing a goal scoring strike with her left foot.
The girls were 4-1 up and cruising.
The industrious and creative midfielder Chelsea Callander scored the 5th goal after beating 3 defenders before slotting the ball in the left corner.
St Benedict’s concluded their score when Lani Fatialofa latched on to a well weighted pass from Molly Blair, taking a touch before dispatching the ball home.
Leading the girls to a 6-2 victory.
Photos courtesy of Peter McLean, thank you very much.
