On Wednesday 27th March the Year 5/6 boys’ football team travelled to the Europa School in Culham, near Abingdon, for our final league match of the season. We knew that if we won, we would be champions.

After a surprisingly long walk (which included an impromptu, self supervised tour of the school grounds and a brief but exhilarating walk over a high footbridge) we finally reached the playing fields and the game could begin.

We made an excellent start. Any pre-match nerves about the importance of the game were quickly squashed as we created chances galore and raced into a 3-0 lead. Louie made space for himself before driving a low shot into the bottom corner, and moments later he curled a wonderful shot into the top corner from just outside the box. The third goal soon followed, with Levi latching onto an excellent through ball, beating the keeper to it and poking it into the net.

As we drove forward to try and add to our tally, we were stung by a quick counter attack as the Europa School pulled one back to bring themselves within two goals of us. Their confidence increasing, they began to create more chances, and were denied by some solid defensive work from Ronny, Wynter, Riley and Jake as well as some cracking saves from Teddy, and we managed to get to half time with a 3-1 lead.

As the second half began, we knew that the next goal would be crucial. Unfortunately for us, it fell to the Europa School, one of their players tapping in after they had hit the post twice.

The opposition continued to attack but so did we, with both Xavi and Jonah coming close to restoring our two goal advantage. However, it would be the Europa School who grabbed the next goal, launching a counter attack from a corner and firing a low shot into the far corner to bring the score back to 3-3.

All of a sudden, a game that had started so comfortably for us had turned into a really dramatic humdinger of a match, with both teams looking to find the winning goal. Luckily, when it came, it went for us.

Ronny fired a long ball forward into the opposition penalty area where, after a small scramble, Louie popped up to complete his hat trick and scoop the ball into the net. We had worked so hard to get back in front, and we knew that we would have maintain a sharp focus to see the game out from here.

And we did so, but not without a late scare. The Europa School worked the ball to the edge of our penalty area, where one of their players fired a shot that was heroically blocked by Ronny, which led to the ball being cleared, which led to the final whistle, which led to Sonning Common Primary School being confirmed as league champions for the third time in the last four seasons.

An exciting game which brings to an end what has been a wonderful footballing adventure with these boys. It has been great to see their desire, attitude, work rate and technical ability reap such rewards, and we look forward to receiving the trophy to top off our celebrations.

As always, many thanks to the parents and supporters who have transported and cheered us on all the way through – it is hugely appreciated.

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