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The Stopfordian 2011–2012
after, owing mainly to some poor SGS defending. We played
well though and midway through the second half I ended up
scoring from a corner to give us a deserved win.
However, we failed to take this momentum forward, losing
our next two games to Q.E.G.S. Blackburn (0-1) and
Wilmslow (2-5). The Blackburn game showed us how well we
can defend as a team, with a great display on a very large
pitch (plenty of substitutions took place!), but again a sloppy
goal let us down and we missed many good chances. Away
at Wilmslow we found ourselves 3-1 down and up against it
with 15 minutes to play, but a goal 10 minutes from time for
us gave us confidence and we pushed forward. This left us
very exposed and we conceded 2 late goals to leave a very
unfair score line. Overall, two frustrating results against two
very good sides, but we knew when we came back in
February that we could compete with the top sides.
Helped by the fact we did not have any games, we went 3
months unbeaten through December, January and February!
Our first game of 2012, home to Q.E.G.S. Blackburn ended
up in a 4-1 defeat. We had been working hard in training all
season and knew we were going to have to step it up in
matches if we wanted anything out of the season. Our next
game was a winnable fixture against Crompton House. Our
hard work finally paid off and a header from Sam Johnson
(everyone on the pitch did a double take!) was the difference
between the sides as we ran out 2-1 winners, with Ross
Holloway battling hard up front, and Tom Coombes, Mark
Goodstadt and Dave Wright having excellent games in the
middle of midfield.
I think our next two games summed up our season; a 2-0 loss
to Sandbach and a 1-0 loss to Altrincham. These were two
matches we could have won, and we played well in both. We
looked solid and hard to beat, but losses in concentration, no
natural goal scorer, and sometimes luck just not going our way,
meant that two more matches came and went where
everyone walked away disappointed.
An 8s tournament in March gave us a break from 11-a-side,
but we were knocked out at the group stages having won just
one game. Man of the tournament, Tom Coombes, played
well in each game despite tough opposition.
Defeats to Cheadle Hulme and Wilmslow towards the end of
the season did not reflect how well we played, with some
excellent individual performances, but unfortunately we came
up short despite battling extremely hard.
Our final game was against Liverpool College and, with a large
crowd, we did not disappoint. We were organised
throughout and were very difficult to break down. Matt
Proctor, Will Byrne and Bikash Deb were superb at the back
and Sam Johnson played extremely well in midfield.
However, it was our pairing up front of Ross Holloway and
Oliver Hall who caused problems throughout and Oliver
scored a late winner to send everyone into wild celebrations.
A great end to the season!
Congratulations to Footballer of the Year - Tom Coombes, and
1st XI Player of the Season - Mark Goodstadt. Both had great
seasons and, along with the whole team, showed
commitment and dedication throughout, whilst often being
on the receiving end of a defeat. Results aren’t everything
though and the team has had an enjoyable year, which has
had many highs and perhaps a few more lows!
Finally, on behalf of the team, I must thank Mr Bowden. He
has managed us superbly and his training sessions have been
innovative and extremely enjoyable. We certainly knew
about it when we weren’t good enough and despite a tough
season he has stuck with us and been a great manager
throughout out 1st XI careers.
Harry Allport (U6)
2ND XI FOOTBALL
Results Played 15 Won 6 Drew 2 Lost 7
Goals for 28 Goals against 36
Home Form Played 8 Won 6 Lost 2
Away Form Played 7 Won 0 Drew 2 Lost 5
2nd XI Football Squad
This was an immensely enjoyable season with fine progression
in terms of skill improvement. With each match the boys
grew more competitive, tactically aware and demonstrated
real positional and team understanding. There was great
flexibility as 21 players slotted in and did us proud. We had
a range of attacking options and 12 players contributed to goal
scoring. A big thanks go to all squad players and each have
their own particular favourite match. The Sandbach 4-0
victory was a Barcelona style delight, as we dominated
possession and showed superb passing and movement. Wins
versus Blackburn, Bury and Leeds and an excellent draw away
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