Yesterday seven of our KS3 girls were representing the school in their first ever futsal tournament. Futsal is a version of football which looks at skill, control and tactical awareness so is a relatively new sport to the UK that is becoming more and more popular.
Before the tournament the girls only had one training session and a few meetings with me.
In the tournament we were drawn against Benfield, Dr Thomlinson Middle School and Richard Coates Middle School in our group.
Game 1:
Against a Benfield side who had a lot more experience than us in the sport it was to be a tough challenge. The girls however started brilliantly maintaining their shape and structure so well that throughout the game Benfield only had one chance which Josie brilliantly denied in goal. At the other end the combination of Lyla, Megan and Evie was sublime dancing around defenders and if it wasn’t for the heroics of the Benfield goalkeeper it would have been a very different game. 0-0 final score.
Game 2:
Against Richard Coates the girls were very unlucky to concede two expertly taken goals in the first two minutes. After this, however, the defensive work of first Sophie and then Megan led to a HMS comeback. Sienna grew in confidence and started carrying the ball forward and this lead to a few dangerous situations. Eventually Evie played a terrific pass to the back post which Megan rocketed into the corner to make it 2-1. Unfortunately 4 chances went past and HMS couldn’t get the equaliser. 2-1 final score.
Game 3:
If results went our way we could still finish high in the group and against Dr Thomlinson the girls really started to shine. Great work by Margarida and Sienna lead to another great goal for HMS early on by Megan. Then after more great play on the left by Sienna and then Lyla HMS won a penalty which was cooly dispatched by Evie. HMS then controlled the game to win 2-0.
Game 4:
Unfortunately we missed out on the top two so ended up not in the finals draw; it was games for rankings now. We played against Churchill, a school who have plenty of futsal experience. The girls played sensationally. Evie opened the scoring early on with a great solo effort into the bottom corner after great goalkeeping by Josie. The second was a perfect futsal goal as Sienna floated in a kick in which clipped the goalkeeper before going into the top corner from close to the half way line. Churchill got a goal back before HMS scored what was arguably goal of the day across the whole tournament, receiving high praise from Northumberland County officials. Every player touched the ball in a flowing passing move before Sienna crossed the ball for Margarida to coolly chest home with style. Evie added a fourth to make the final score 4-1 to HMS.
Game 5:
In the final game of the day we played the giant task of John Spence who had a number of great futsal players. A quick start by John Spence saw us fall behind but again HMS had plenty of chances and were denied by outstanding goalkeeping. In our pursuit of a comeback John Spence scored a couple of late goals to leave with a 3-0 win.
A great day for all involved and the girls were outstanding.
Mr Barry