The Year 4 boys’ football team played in the Hull Schools 5 a-side tournament at the Bonus Indoor Arena on Tuesday 24th February. Up against Spring Cottage, Bilton, Cleeve and St. Thomas Moore, the boys played superbly as a team with flashes of individual magic to finish top.
The squad of seven players arrived looking ready with a few nerves but full of confidence. The aim of the night was made quite clear: enjoy the event, encourage each other and do your best. If that means winning, even better.
Victoria Dock Primary School were first to play and the opposing team from Bilton have a great footballing reputation. The game started and chances were there for both teams to win it. Great goalkeeping from the Bilton number 1 kept out super efforts and Victoria Dock’s keeper, Lloyd, matched him at the other end. There were some silky passes and some back-heeled passes but the possession in Victoria Dock’s favour did not provide a deciding goal. First match over and both teams earned a point.
The next two matches resulted in draws for St. Thomas Moore and Cleeve (1-1) and Bilton and St. Richards (0-0). The group was looking as though it was going to be a tight one with all teams so far, matching each other.
Victoria Dock then entered onto the field of play again with St. Thomas Moore in red and black against them. The match was not so tight this time with a brace of goals from Tom Brown and Oliver McKee and a single goal from Joe Reeves putting the game well beyond STM. The 5-0 win for Victoria Dock was well deserved with a very disciplined defence being the foundation of an attacking style that was great to watch.
Cleeve then beat St. Richards 2-1 in the next game and Bilton beat STM 2-0. The results put Bilton top of the group but Victoria Dock had a game in hand. The starting line-up was again shuffled slightly to ensure the players all had time on the pitch. The previous 5-0 win must have given the team confidence as they went out and continued to pass the ball about, working from the back to take the lead. Lloyd in goal did no touch the ball once, something that showed the dominance that Victoria Dock had. The players worked hard for each other and the full-time whistle blew with Victoria Dock 3-0 winners (despite a missed penalty too). Victoria Dock were back at the top of the group.
St. Richards and STM then drew 1-1 before Bilton reclaimed top spot with a 2-0 victory over Cleeve. The last game between Victoria Dock and St. Richards was important – a win or draw would see Victoria Dock as winners.
The game began and Victoria Dock had some early chances. St. Richards attacked on the counter and Lloyd was busier than before. He still refused to throw the ball long in pursuit of total football. It worked well as Tom and Oliver at the back played nice football setting up Max up front. Oliver and Joe scored too and at 3-0 up, the group looked secure. St. Richards did press but the defence of Victoria Dock was solid and the victory sealed.
As group winners with 10 points, Victoria Dock progress to the Finals on Thursday 16th February.
