On Saturday our Y5/6 Boys’ football team travelled to Bristol for the eagerly awaited South West Regional Finals. We were not only representing our school, but the whole of Oxfordshire as county champions. The state of play was simple: finish in the top two of the group stage to qualify for the semi-finals, and then win the semi-final to earn a place in the Regional Final on the day and a place in the National Finals in May.

Our opening group match was against Sherwell Valley, a school from Torquay and county champions of Devon. After an even start, it was the opposition that took the lead before half time. A much improved second half saw Levi fire in a low drive that the Sherwell Valley keeper parried into the path of Louie B, who tucked the rebound away to equalise. With time running out and a draw looking certain, a mistake at the back led to an opportunity for Sherwell, which they converted – a late sucker punch to see us fall to a 2-1 defeat. Not an ideal start, but with three group games left, we still had a good chance of making it through the group stage.

We had learnt our first lesson of the day in the harshest way possible, and we didn’t have long to wait to show we had learnt from it. Our second fixture saw us take on the Channel Islands champions, Victoria Prep School from Jersey. Defeat would almost definitely eliminate us from the competition, but a win would kickstart our tournament and give us a huge chance of progressing.

We performed superbly, producing a solid defensive display in the first half to keep the score at 0-0. This provided a firm platform for a wonderful attacking display in the second half, which saw two goals apiece from Levi and Louie B that gave us an emphatic 4-0 victory and sent us into second place in the group.

Our third game would eventually prove to be our most decisive match of the day. We went into this match – against the Isle of Wight-based, and champions of Hampshire, Haylands – knowing that a win or a draw would leave qualification in our own hands, but a defeat would send us out of the competition.

It was not the best start.

1-0 down within the first minute and playing uphill, we tried to contain Haylands for as long as we could, but would concede a second – and ultimately tournament ending – goal before half time. Despite Louie B pulling one back in the second half, we were beaten 2-1 for the second time on the day and knew that whatever happened in our final match, it would be impossible to qualify from the group stage.

Our fourth and final match – against the Cornish champions Archbishop Benson, who were also eliminated by this point – was played in good spirits and would end in a 1-1 draw, our equaliser being one of the best goals of the day. A long ball over the top from Louie B was met by an excellent touch from Levi, which fell nicely for Jonah to hit a half volley into the net and ensure that we would not finish with a defeat but would finish in third place in the group.

Now all is said and done, our adventure has come to an end. Despite learning some harsh lessons, it is a testament to these boys and the development of football at SCPS that when we came to face other county champions from around the South West of England, there was very little to choose between us. On another day, it could easily have been us going to the National Finals.

For now, we will keep dreaming.

A huge thanks to those who drove to the competition and supported the children throughout, and to those who have been involved throughout the season. To the boys in Year 6 (some of which were league champions in Year 5, and who now get to finish primary school as Oxfordshire champions), we thank them for their efforts and their huge contribution to our success over recent years, and wish them well for their respective football journeys in the future.

The team was: Teddy E, Louie B, Levi B, Jonah W, Felix C, Jack F, Donnie F, Louie D, Ben N, Noah B, Xander O’B-W and Charlie C.