Despite the wet weather another super primary schools football tournament ran tonight on the Tanbridge astroturf. This time it was the turn of the year 5/6 girls to take the stage. Not for the first time the A teams from Heron Way and Southwater won through to contest the final and on this occasion it was Heron Way taking the honours courtesy of a late strike two seconds before the final whistle went. 

In the first stage of the competition the 15 teams competed across three groups of four and one of three. Despite being stretched in their first game of the evening by Steyning B the Southwater A team impressively qualified for the second phase winners group with a 2-0 win over a Kingslea team that had opened up by giving Castlewood B a goal bunch of five.

In Group B Steyning A was the dominant force smashing Northolmes 4-0 before beating Leechpool B to go through to the top tier. 

Heron Way A confidently negotiated the Group C three team round-robin with 2-0 wins over both Southwater B and Castlewood A. Given that these two teams drew 0-0 when they met their identical records required a coin toss to split them for feed into the appropriate second phase grouping. Luck was on Castlewood’s side on this occasion.

On the night two footgolf deciders were required to split drawing teams in fast and decisive fashion to allow the match action to keep flowing. The first of these occurred in Group D as Heron Way B and Leechpool A came together after first match wins to decide who would progress to the top tier. After finishing one each it was the Heron Way B player’s better weighted kick that won the day.

So to the second phase. In the group of fourth placed teams Slinfold hit back from their big first phase losses to win out and claim 13th place. In the thirds group Pulborough hit Shelley for six – not easy in ten minute games! – before succumbing to Southwater B in the ninth place play-off.

In the group of second placed teams sharing was the order of the day as Leechpool B and Castlewood A couldn’t muster a goal between them so shared seventh spot, and Kingslea and Leechpool A finished one apiece so did likewise with fifth spot.

Steyning A lost out in their top group semi versus Southwater A in a much closer footgolf decider after their encounter ended goalless. The other semi was a battle of the two Heron Way sides, the A narrowly prevailing with a single goal. Heron Way B took consolation however by beating Steyning A 1-0 in the third place match. And, as we know, Heron Way’s front side took the title in dramatic last gasp fashion against Southwater A.

Well done to all the players and teams for providing such an excellent advertisement for girls football in the Horsham area.

RESULTS