U13 Football IAPS National Finals

Published by Bede's Senior School on Tuesday 30th of November 2021

On Sunday 21 November, the U13 squad travelled to Culford School to participate in the IAPS National Finals having qualified back in October.

It was a bright but frosty morning when the boys began the first group stage. It was a tentative start with a draw against a strong Edgeborough side. The second game came quick and fast with another close contest against Lambrook school resulting in another 1-1 draw. The third game things started to come together with a brilliant 1-0 victory against Eaton House scored by Johnson.

The boys were full of confidence moving into the last group game needing a point to progress to the top two they secured the draw against New College School Oxford. We were heading for the knockouts. This is when the team began to believe that they could go all the way. Quarter final against a very strong and well organised Ludgrove side we started to show our class. A phenomenal strike from outside the box from the left foot of Harvey Boddy left everyone speechless. We did not stop there with Fraser Widdop hammering it home to secure our semi-final place. Now the nerves were kicking in, well mostly for Miss Larkin, the boys rose to the challenge and did not disappoint with an effortless goal again from Widdop. We couldn’t believe it we had made the Final!

We were amazed to meet Downsend for the second time in our IAPS campaign having I countered them in the final at the qualifying tournament at Danes Hill. It was high octane from the first whistle the sides were evenly matched both attacking furiously. Unfortunately, it was not our day and the single goal came from Downsend. We couldn’t fault the boy's performance they had given their all and we were so proud of them. An amazing achievement and one we will remember!