Our Year 7 girls’ footballers are having a phenomenal season. As a new team they have come together and demonstrate fantastic teamwork, supporting and driving each other on.
Their potential was clear to be seen back in September as they entered the English Schools Football Associations (ESFA) Girls Under 12 PlayStation 9-a-side Schools’ Cup. 202 schools from across the country entered and the girls have retained their composure steadily progressing through seven rounds to reach the final.
Round one Bye
Round two beat St John Fisher RC High School, 4-3
Round three beat The Crompton House CofE Academy, 3-2
Round four beat King Ecgbert School, 2-1
Round five beat St Augustine’s RC High School, 5-3
Quarter-finals beat Cheadle Hulme School, 4-1
Semi-finals beat Valley Gardens Middle School, North Tyneside, 3-2
Final v Eggbuckland Community College
Their semi-final against Valley Gardens Middle School, North Tyneside, demonstrated their determination to win. Mary K got the girls off to a strong start with a composed finish to open the scoring. An equaliser arrived shortly before half time but that did not dampen the spirits as the girls came out even stronger in the second half, showing the incredible resilience that has seen them to this point of the competition.
A spectacular strike from Jane put Cardinal Heenan back ahead before the two goal scorers combined with Jane scoring a clever goal from a Mary K corner, putting them two goals up. Cardinal Heenan were firmly in the driving seat, but Valley Gardens responded with a barrage of pressure. Their efforts were rewarded 10 minutes from time as they pulled a goal back to make it 3-2. The last 10 minutes seemed to pass by very slowly with Valley Gardens throwing everything at finding an equaliser, but the team stood firm. An inspired goalkeeping performance was provided by Sandra, who produced some exceptional saves at crucial times, not least denying an attacker in the last 5 minutes with the score at 3-2. The defensive qualities, team spirit and character the Cardinal Heenan team display is admirable and their spot in the final is thoroughly deserved.
The countdown has begun to the Final on Monday 22 May the team will play at The Hawthorns, the home of West Bromwich Albion FC. In the showpiece of the National Competition the team will play Eggbuckland Community College from Plymouth.
