Our U13 First XI National Cup Journey gets off to a Winning Start!

Published by Davenies on Monday 27th of October 2025

On Monday afternoon, our First XI (U13 A Team) began their National Cup journey in Round 1 of the ISFA Bowl competition against Brighton College Handcross. The Independent Schools Football Association runs three national competitions, with schools tiered according to their size and history in the tournament.

On a sunny afternoon, the opening exchanges were evenly balanced as both sides settled into the game and looked to figure each other out. The deadlock was broken midway through the first half when captain Freddie H struck beautifully, his low effort nestling into the bottom corner of the Handcross net.

That goal gave Davenies the platform to take control of proceedings, with the midfield trio of George C, Kirav K, and Freddie H dictating the tempo through sharp one- and two-touch passing. Handcross were limited to hopeful long balls, while Davenies continued to pile on the pressure. The advantage was doubled when Jack S’s looping cross-come-shot deceived the goalkeeper and dropped into the far corner, giving Davenies a deserved 2–0 lead at half-time.

The second half began in explosive fashion. Within minutes, Kirav K burst through the Handcross defence with a powerful run and slotted home confidently to settle any nerves and put the visitors firmly on the back foot. That early strike opened the floodgates. With confidence flowing, Davenies showcased some delightful passing moves and wave after wave of attacks.

Kirav soon added his second of the afternoon with a near-identical finish to his first, before Ben Cooper stole the show with a superb hat-trick. His standout moment was a curling effort into the top corner from a seemingly impossible angle, capping off a dominant display.

Despite the scoreline, Handcross continued to battle and carved out some dangerous moments. Late on, Finn L in the Davenies goal was called upon to make a superb full-stretch save to preserve a well-earned clean sheet.

An emphatic 7–0 victory marks a dream start to Davenies’ tournament campaign, and the team now eagerly await the second-round draw once all Round 1 fixtures are completed in the coming weeks.