Who would have thought the U13 boys would walk away with a loss when every single one of them left the pitch smiling? Even a mid-match torrential downpour couldn’t dampen their spirits, though it certainly left them looking a little soggy by the final whistle.
This was a brand-new experience for the squad, many of whom had never played together before, and certainly not on a full-sized pitch. Despite that, they formed some lovely connections throughout the game and even carved their way into their own attacking D on several occasions. Shots from Larry Evans, Freddie Crawford, and Jacob McGrath kept Queen Mary on their toes, but it just wasn’t the day for goals.
George Walker showed real versatility, slotting into multiple positions as needed and impressing with his powerful clearances, a standout feature of his performance. Behind him, goalkeeper Elliott Trent once again produced numerous saves, keeping the scoreline respectable. Although he felt a little deflated at times by the marking in front of him, it’s all part of the learning curve, and something the team will work on together after half-term.
The midfield deserves credit for putting Queen Mary under pressure. Felix Greenough, Isaac Wilkins, George Hughes, Henry Bryan, and Alex Price brought fantastic energy, constantly battling to move play forward. Out wide, Billy Jones proved what a lively winger he can be, while Oscar Foy and Will Gransden worked tirelessly to feed balls through to the Friary attackers. Queen Mary were simply the more drilled side on the day, but the effort from the boys was undeniable.
A brilliant effort all-round and, most importantly, the boys genuinely seemed to enjoy every minute of it. After half-term, training picks up again as some of the squad prepare for the Denstone Hockey Competition on 26th February.
As Team Coach, Miss Fallows’ message for her squad was clear: “Great attitude, great teamwork, and great smiles. Well played, boys.”
