Sonning Common 7-2 Goring

On Thursday evening the Year 5/6 boys’ football team hosted Goring Primary School in the second match of our football league season.

It was the visitors who made the better start, keeping us in our own half with some slick passing and moving and looking very dangerous. After some sustained pressure, Goring did take the lead with a low, drilled shot inside the near post.

We needed to respond, and did so, very quickly. A quick throw in down the right from Xavi was latched on to by Levi, who flicked the ball across goal for Louie to tap in an equaliser. Energised by this goal, it wasn’t long before we were 2-1 up. A loose ball rolled to Louie’s left foot, which he used to smash the ball into the roof of the net from outside the box.

With the game fast becoming a frantic end to end spectacle, it was Goring who struck next. A long goal kick from their keeper’s hand bounced awkwardly and into our net to send us in at half time with the score at 2-2. The second half would have a massive impact on both team’s seasons.

In complete contrast to the first half, it was us who started the brighter, and within moments of the restart we were back in front. Teddy played a great long pass to Jonah, who curled in a shot that was parried by the Goring keeper straight to the feet of Levi, who rolled us into a 3-2 lead. This would turn out to be a huge turning point in the game.

Goring pressed forward, determined to equalise again. However, after some solid defending and super saves from Teddy, it was us who grabbed the next goal. Arthur sent a corner into a dangerous area where Levi rose to head the ball into an empty net to put us 4-2 up.

From here on in, we relaxed and showed some excellent desire to keep going and add to our tally, Xavi struck a shot that was saved well by the Goring keeper but fell nicely to Louie, who pounced to make it 5-2 from close range. From the restart, the ball arrived at the feet of Oli, who steadied himself before striking a low hard drive that went through the Goring defence and keeper to put us 6-2 up.

To their credit, Goring didn’t give up and kept creating chances but failed to find a way past Teddy or any of the defenders in front of him. As the ball rolled out for a throw in to us, Xavi showed some fantastic quick thinking, throwing the ball to Louie who held off his man and fired a low finish into the far corner to make the final score 7-2.

After a slow start, it was great to see the boys demonstrate their superb teamwork, desire and determination, bouncing back from a slow start to win a tough game against a decent Goring side who were league winners last season.

We would like to thank all of the children and parents who watched and supported us, as well as Dr Loader who kindly gave up his time to referee the match.

Last of all, congratulations to Teddy, who was declared the owner of the best sports ball in this week’s ‘Item of the Week’ competition.

The team was: Teddy E, Ronny B, Wynter G, Riley A, Xavi O’B-W, Louie B, Oli R, Jake W, Jonah W, Arthur S and Levi B.