Football: Review for 2010-11

Football

Played 164 Won 88 Drew 18 Lost 58

SENIORS

The senior boys enjoyed an excellent season winning 70% of their matches. The 1st XI had a strong, but at the same time frustrating, season. They recorded six wins including impressive victories over Shrewsbury House, Cumnor House and New Beacon. There was a disappointing defeat against a strong Junior King’s side but losses to Holmewood and St Bede’s should have been avoided.

Captain Louis McKeeve led the side with great skill and determination and after a slow start to the season Jonathan Smith found his range in front of goal and led the line effectively. George Howard enjoyed another excellent season in the 1st XI and his range of passing proved to be a real asset. Christian Thomson-Frost proved his all-round ability; as last year’s 1st XI keeper he adapted well to his new position in the heart of the defence. Dan Payne enjoyed his first taste of 1st XI football and he demonstrated pace, skill and trickery on the right wing. These Year Eight boys were joined by a strong group of Year Seven boys all of whom proved their worth this year and should go on to be a real force in the coming season. The seniors excelled in the smaller-sided form of the game winning the Sevenoaks Prep six-a-side tournament and finishing runners up in the Sevenoaks and New Beacon tournaments.

The 2nd XI team was so close to an un-beaten season, a loss against Shrewsbury House and a draw against Holmewood the only blemishes. Alex Baker enjoyed a great season and also represented the 1st XI on occasion. Freddie Hutchins showed a real predatory instinct in front of goal whilst Reece Hayden gave us a touch of class in midfield.

Congratulations to the 3rd and 4th XI teams who completed unbeaten seasons. The 3rd XI won every game, a great team effort, with Jack Prideaux scoring the majority of the goals. Max Rossiter found himself lacking in action when in goal so Mr C often pushed him into midfield for the second half of matches where his kamikaze style of play was much enjoyed! The team was well skippered by Hal Dewdney. The 4th XI won five games including an impressive 4-0 win over Shrewsbury House. Will Atkin, Ollie Bee, Liam Nortje, Sean Corcoran, Eddy Gray and Marcus Michau all impressed. The 5th XI had a difficult season playing the majority of their matches against 3rd XI opposition but it was great to see so many boys getting the opportunity to represent the school.

MIDDLES

The middles section of the school generated some good results and the quality of football improved throughout the season. The U11A boys showed great progress; after getting hammered 9-2 in their opening game of the season by a strong St Michael’s side, they only lost two more fixtures, winning seven and drawing two. They also won the Sevenoaks School 5-a-side tournament. Jonathan Shepherdson, Jack Harvey and Charlie Watkins performed consistently well.

The B and C teams’ seasons followed a similar path losing their opening matches only to finish the term having won 75% of games played. Joe Stick continued his habit of scoring at least one wonder goal per season! The D, E and F teams found wins harder to come by but should be delighted with their effort and commitment. The D team’s 3-0 win at Junior King’s Canterbury and the E team’s 4-3 victory at Marlborough House being the highlights.

The Year Five boys could not emulate their elders in terms of matches won but they should be proud of their achievements this season. The A team’s season was a case of ‘so near yet so far’. Every game they played in was a close one with no more than two goals separating the teams. Charlie Dumas, Miles Christian and Freddie Hill enjoyed strong performances.

The U10B team managed to win a lot more of the close encounters as they recorded five wins out of eight including strong victories over Holmewood, New Beacon and Dulwich. Ben Edwards consistently proved his worth in front of goal. The C and D team enjoyed similar success winning eight of their 14 matches. The E team remained unbeaten, winning their solitary game 3-0 against Solefield Cs.

JUNIORS

Our Junior teams look very promising and really enjoyed their football this year. The U9s followed their great start as U8s with another successful football season. The B and C teams won all 15 of their matches between them scoring 53 goals and conceding only 3! This was a fantastic achievement and testimony to real strength in depth in this age group. Ethan Brown (Bs) and Henry Garrard (Cs) put in some notable performances.

The A team played some great football hence will be slightly disappointed with the four draws and two defeats that accompanied their four victories. They did, however, avenge both their defeats in the strong Yardley Court U9 Tournament, beating Shrewsbury House 4-0 in the semi final and Holmewood House 1-0 in the final. This was a great performance on the day as the boys showed their true potential. Joe Evers, Ben Watkins and Danny Stick enjoyed a fantastic tournament.

The U8s have proved to be a talented year group and competed effectively in all of their 20 games, winning 12 and drawing four. Will Tyler was particularly impressive in the A team but the strength in depth was reflected in the selection of 12 different boys playing for the A’s at various times.

The Schools at Somerhill are members of the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools and are listed in The Good Schools Guide.

The Schools at Somerhill are under the care and control of The Somerhill Charitable Trust Ltd.
Registered in England No. 2331296. Registered Office: Somerhill, Tonbridge, Kent TN11 0NJ.
Registered Charity No. 1002212.

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