After the previous week’s year 5+6 weather write-off it was up to the year 3+4s to raise the curtain on this year’s primary schools football league and the younger children did not disappoint in the skill, enthusiasm and entertainment they provided to the watching band of teachers, parents and siblings.

The competition was re-located to The Bridge leisure centre’s multicourts as a result of the Tanbridge astroturf, the usual venue, being unavailable due to resurfacing, a move which required some adaptions in the rules, most notably going from seven to six-a-side and play being continuous off the side walls rather than to side and back lines.

Teams were split into two round-robin pools of six teams each as part of a two-meeting approach which will see the top three in each pool come together at the next meeting in two weeks’ time in Division A and the bottom three will do likewise for Division B.

Southwater A was the dominant force in Pool 1 winning most of its games by big margins and only Kingslea A making them work hard for their success and scoring a goal against them, an own goal as it happened, in a game that finished 3-1. Team Manager, Paul Showell, was pleased to see cousins Finn and Ben playing well together and was also generous with his praise for Harry H as the beating heart of the team in central midfield.

Underneath the mighty Southies there was a real bunfight for the other two upper division qualification spots. Three wins booked Kingslea A’s passage but two defeats including a shock 2-1 one to Heron Way B ensured their progression was not straightforward. Jude A was Kingslea’s star man playing well and scoring some super goals. Leechpool B took the third position with their 2-1 victory over Castlewood being pivotal to that achievement.

Castlewood and Heron Way B both achieved 14 points and will probably settle for being two of the favourites in Division B next time out although Castlewood will no doubt be more confident as a result of beating the Heron second string 4-2 when they clashed. Despite a lashing by Southwater A the Herons will cling on to their excellent performance against Kingslea A as a basis for their optimism.

Northolmes also book a few batterings but in their first competitive outing as a team never let their heads drop and can be proud of taking Castlewood to the wire in a 2-1 defeat and held Division A qualifiers Leechpool B to a draw. So fellow Division B teams watch out – Northolmes are on the way up!

If Southwater A success in Pool 1 was no surprise neither was Heron Way A’s in Pool 2. They also achieved a full house of victories and only conceded one goal, the only difference being that they scored 14 less than Southwater’s total of 35; not that they’re going to lose too much sleep over statistics given that all teams start with a blank sheet when they next convene. Top performers in the Heron Way ranks were Rhys M, Fletcher B and Vuan DM, the latter being the goals machine of the team.

The chief resistance the Herons faced came from fellow large school Leechpool A. The match between the two was a cracker, the Herons winning by the odd goal in three. Impressive for Leechpool were Ashley for his leadership, Boris for the quality of his goals and Mitch for some excellent saves in between the sticks.

Southwater B took the third qualification berth edging out Shelley by virtue of the losing bonus point they gained as a result of getting 50% of Leechpool A’s winning score of four. Laz and George scored most of Southwater B’s 10 goals and year 3 pupils Max and Charlie will be pleased with their debut performances.

Shelley will fancy their chances for Division B after accumulating 15 points in their first showing. They were competitive and resilient in all their matches even holding Heron Way A to three goals as well as gaining two wins and a draw. Don’t discount Slinfold School either. After suffering at the hands of Heron Way in their first match they recovered well to enjoy four hard fought and close games with the rest of the field including forcing a 2-2 draw with Leechpool A.

Well done also to Kingslea B for keeping going despite four losses in their first tournament outing. Getting a 2-2 draw against Slinfold was no less than they deserved as reward for their valiant efforts on the night.

There is lots more excitement to look forward to when the teams come together again on Friday 21^st October at The Bridge again.

Finally, a word of thanks and praise to young refs Issy and first-timer Rosie for doing a great job in the officiating department.

YEAR 3+4 FOOTBALL LEAGUE MEETING 1 RESULTS (071022)

Pool 1 fixtures = bolded

Pool 2 fixtures = italics

TABLES

Pool 1

Pool 2

*5 for win, 3 for draw, 1 for loss, 1 bonus point if lose but score 50% or more of opponent’s winning score in match

Top 3 teams in each pool go into Division A for next meeting. Bottom 3 teams in each go into Division B