Under 11 Crowned ISFA East Region Tournament Champions

Published on isbi School News dated Wednesday 11th of March 2015

The College's U11s football team were crowned Regional Champions at the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) East Region Tournament on Saturday 7th March. It is the first time the College has won the tournament at U11 level and the team are delighted to have qualified for the National Finals at the St George's National Training Centre, where England hold their training sessions, at Burton On Trent in May.

There were 14 schools competing at King's Ely School in the 7 aside tournament, with a two groups of 7 teams format. They won the group convincingly and were into the semi-finals where they faced Group B runners-up, Taverham Hall. They conceded an early goal and were behind in a match for the very first time. The boys' response was a quick hat-trick by Freddy Cooke and a super goal from Harry Clenshaw, eventually running out 4-2 winners.

Only the winning team could go through to the National Finals at Burton, so the final against Bedford Modern was tense. Again the U11s conceded early but Joshua O'Connor equalised with an individual strike. Late in the second half Marcin Matys put the team into the lead but with 30 seconds remaining they conceded and looked to be heading for extra time. They broke from the kick off in one final push and Joshua O'Connor was fouled 20 yards from goal. Up stepped Freddy Cooke who curled a free kick into the top corner with the last kick of the game. The referee blew the whistle for full time and most of the lads sunk to their knees in tears of jubilation.

Ex England striker Andy Johnson approached Freddy Cooke at the end of the match and told him his free kick was worthy of winning any game. Team Coach, David Herd, commented: 'The boys showed outstanding spirit and character. There is little margin for error in these tournaments and our lads thoroughly deserved their success.'