SPORT
It has been great to see the continued development of Football within the Junior School
the game, allowing for some fantastic performances as the season went on, including exemplary performances against Dulwich Prep. The A team controlled the game, showing their attacking passing game to full effect. It was fantastic to see all boys in Year 8 adopt the passing style of play which will bear fruit in the long term and help these strong squads continue to progress. The U14s had a mixed year as the boys settled into their squads and increased their tactical understanding. Year 9 is always a big development year and all squads showed great progress across the season. Impressive results against UCS and two-term football school Highgate showed the promise the year-group has when they work as a unit. The U15s had a tremendous season, showing the strength in depth the year-group has for football. The U15A team lost only once, with impressive wins against Whitgift and Westminster. The B teams’ season went a similar way with only two losses and an incredible 11-0 win over Brighton College. The C, D and E squads also saw winning seasons with all five teams scoring plenty of goals, playing an attacking style and with A, B and C teams all finishing with goal differences of over 23. Senior Football this year saw the amalgamation of the Year 11, 12 and 13 boys. With over 250 boys opting for Football in the Lent Term, it was fantastic to see 11 senior sides represent the College this season, which started with the 1st XI facing Corinthian Casuals. In a fun and friendly game, the Corinthians showed their class with concerted spells of pressure as the boys struggled to get a foothold in the game. The 5th XI had a strong season, losing only once, with impressive wins against City of London and Westminster. The 4th XI got better as the season went on, and wins against Whitgift and Wilsons showed the potential of many of the Year 11s and 12s to reach the higher squads next year. After the successful tour the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XI began the season in strong form. A young 3rd XI played some attractive football with their best results being 11-2 and 5-1 wins against UCS and Brighton. The 2nd XI had a brilliant season, reaching the London Independent Schools Cup semi-final; after an end- to-end game against Wellington they were eventually beaten on penalties. In the friendly games, wins against Tonbridge, Brentwood and Whitgift showed the high level of the squad,
and many should be looking to gain a 1st XI spot next year. The 1st XI got stronger as the year went on. Finding their own style allowed the boys to understand their roles and they stuck firmly to their principles of playing through the thirds and out from the back. In the Trinity Cup against footballing powerhouse Royal Russell, the 1st XI held their own playing under lights, Bromley FC losing 1-3. In a cracker of a game versus Brentwood the 1st XI went three goals down before fighting back into the game to 3-4 but unfortunately they could not find the goal to take the game into extra time. Strong wins against Wilsons and Westminster in the snow finished the season on a high note. It has been great to see the continued development of Football within the Junior School. With the boys playing fixtures in front of the main College and all boys representing the College on game day it has really been a tremendous spectacle. The U9 team won the Eaton Square tournament. Most impressive was the U11 side, who won the ISFA London regional tournament and travelled to St George’s Park to play in the ISFA National 7-a-side tournament. With the best 18 independent sides in the country playing in three groups of six, the Dulwich boys had their work cut out. Showing true spirit, determination and a brilliant work-rate, Dulwich ended the group stages in third place to qualify for the quarter- finals. A strong win against Cothill saw the boys through to the semis, where they faced Altrincham Prep. In a close contest, Dulwich ended up losing 0-1 to a stunning strike, with Altrincham going on to win the tournament. Not to be defeated, the boys played hard in the third place playoff to end up the day tied third in the country. A great achievement from a very talented and hardworking group of boys. Well done to everyone who represented the school this year. It was great to see every boy playing with a smile on his face, regardless of which team he was playing for. Football across the school is continuing to grow, and the standard of play is developing week on week across all year-groups. Final thanks must go to all staff involved in taking teams: it is wonderful to see nearly 800 boys playing football for the College.
Tom Whitehead
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