Year 10 Football Thriller
22.11.2011St. Helens Schools Cup Quarter-Final
Rainhill High 3 – 3 The Sutton Academy (Sutton win on penalties 5-4)
The Year 10 team produced their finest ever performance as a high school team in what proved to be an epic contest between the two best school sides in St. Helens.
After the initial cup draw plotted the two teams against each other, the Year 10 players were focused on avenging the semi-final defeat on penalties they suffered last year at the hands of Rainhill (the current Schools Cup Champions).
From the very first whistle, the quality of football on offer from both teams was clear to see, with controlled passing and strong tackles noticeable from both sides. Rainhill took the early lead after their striker latched onto a long ball downfield and fired home.
Sutton didn’t waiver and continued to play nice football, which eventually saw a nice passing move ending in midfielder Ryan Houghton playing a smart ball into striker Lewis Blakemore on the edge of the box. With his back to goal Lewis instinctively angled the ball with a clever volley over the top of the Rainhill ‘keeper to draw the scores level.
Rainhill fought back and after miscommunication at the back by Sutton they managed to grab two quick concessive goals, now making the score 3-1. Injuries to midfielders Kieran Curtis and Calum McLaughlan after great tackling did not help matters either. The half-time whistle sounded and the lads were told of the importance to keep playing their passing game but with extra concentration being needed in key areas. The game was still there for the Sutton lads to win – if they wanted it!?
As the second half began it was obvious to see the desire of the Sutton players; the attitude on show was something special. With defenders Martin Derrick, Connor Andrews, and Ashley Lyon raising their performance and becoming a solid unit Rainhill simply couldn’t even get control in our half. On the odd occasion they managed to get a chance on goal this was dealt with comfortably by the reliable CJ Allen in the Sutton goal.
The Sutton wing-backs of Declan Williamson and Craig Johnson rallied forward at every possible opportunity, and their Rainhill counterparts now started to flag and couldn’t keep up with the constant energy on show. In midfield the dogged performances of Ryan Houghton and Nathan Lever left Rainhill frustrated allowing Sutton to break with clever passing, using the pace of strikers Lewis and Mike Hallman to good effect.
Great work down the right by substitute Bradley Grime along with Declan saw Ryan played in, who in turn played a one-two with Lewis before then driving into the box. After the initial shot was stopped, the attempted clearance fell to Ryan who rifled it into the bottom corner. Score now 3-2.
The lads were now buoyed by this goal and as the Rainhill players heads dropped Sutton continued to press. Tremendous work down the left saw Nathan break away allowing Mike to fire a cross into the box where Lewis calmly finished and collected his second goal of the game. With the score at 3-3 and with ten minutes to go the lads could now really believe they could go on to win this game!
Further chances fell to Sutton in the final minutes, and Lewis was unlucky to see his lob over the ‘keeper drift just wide and Mike to be ruled offside when put through one-on-one with the opposition ‘keeper. The final whistle went and with no extra time to be played due to poor light it was straight to penalties.
The five penalty takers (in order) for Sutton were Ashley, Ryan, Lewis, Mike and Kieran. Sutton went first and scored and this proved to be the same result for all players as we progressed through the shootout. With nobody missing, Kieran then slotted home to make it 5-4 for Sutton leaving the Rainhill player to step up last to try and tie the scores. He struck the ball hard and with pace, but ‘keeper CJ showed his usual brilliance and tipped the ball over the bar to confirm the fight-back of all fight-backs for Sutton.
Well done to all the lads; an unbelievable performance that they will not forget about in a long time. One to be proud of and look back on in years to come!
After winning the Schools Cup in Year 7 the lads were unfortunately knocked out in both Years 8 & 9 by the eventual winners of the Cup……...but surely this year it has to be ‘The Sutton Academy’ written on the Cup again!!
Mr P. Blakemore
Year 10 Football Coach
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