Just like our girls’ team, our boys’ side began their league season with a trip to Wallingford to face Fir Tree Junior School. After finishing a close second in the division last season, we were determined to get off to the best possible start.

We took our time to settle into the game, and subsequently found ourselves defending our goal for long periods of time. Some great last ditch tackles and superb stops from Harvey kept the scores level for the opening minutes, but it was not long until our resistance was broken. A low cross from the left found a Fir Tree attacker, who turned in the box and smashed the ball into the bottom corner to give the home side a deserved lead.

We did our best to launch some meaningful attacks, getting the ball in and around the opposition penalty area but unable to really test their goalkeeper.

What followed was a real sucker punch. Another dangerous ball came into our box and despite the best efforts of Louie, Adomas and Albie, the resulting goalmouth scramble fell nicely for an opposing player to drive the ball into the top corner and double the home side’s advantage.

Whatever level of football you play at, being 2-0 down in the first half is a real test of character. You either give in and take the defeat, or you show resilience, desire and grit and do whatever you can to get back into the game.

In true SCPS style, our boys chose the second option and were soon rewarded. An excellent delivery from Jack on the right hand side was followed in by Albie at the back post, who bundled the ball over the line to halve the deficit and bring us right back into the match.

Not long after, we almost equalised. Jacob took control of a loose goal kick and aimed a low shot at goal which was saved by the keeper as he scrambled to get back into position, and soon after Oliver drove into the penalty area and smashed his shot into the outer part of the side netting.

The second half began with us doing everything we could to find an equaliser. Charlie thumped a great strike against the crossbar, Ben and debutant Theo both saw shots blocked, and we avoided being caught on the counter attack at the other end when Xander provided an excellent block on the goalline to deny Fir Tree what looked like a certain goal. However, despite the end to end nature of the second half, no more goals were scored and it was the home side who made a winning start to their season.

As ever, we are grateful to those who helped transport the children and supported us throughout the match.

The team was: Charlie C, Theo G, Albie H, Jack S, Ben N, Adomas B, Xander O’B-W, Oliver J, Louie D, Jacob N and Harvey B.