Redlands Football Tournament Write-up

 

On a blustery and drizzly day, Southill Primary School laced up their boots and took to the pitch to compete in the Redlands Football Knockout Competition. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams faced off against 11 other primary schools from Weymouth, Portland, and Bridport, all vying to be crowned champions. Each team had to navigate the group stages, facing five other schools, and needed to finish in the top four to qualify for the quarter-finals. Here’s how it all unfolded for Southill FC…

 

Southill Girls FC

 

The girls started their tournament with a determined performance against St George’s, a large school with plenty of football talent. Despite facing strong opposition, the girls showed grit and resilience. They defended solidly as a team and came close to scoring twice. Nancy and Connie were both very unlucky not to score in the latter parts of the game. The match ended in a stalemate:

 

Southill 0 – 0 St George’s

 

In their second group match against Bridport, another formidable opponent, Southill demonstrated their might. After just three minutes, Georgia’s clearance found Nancy, who drilled a low shot past the keeper. Solid defensive efforts from Skyla, Lacey, and Harmony kept Bridport at bay until a late run down the wing saw the opposition equalize in the dying moments. Final score:

 

Southill 1 – 1 Bridport

 

Building on their strong start, the girls delivered an impressive performance in their third game against Beechcroft. Eleanor and Iyla shone, tirelessly supporting both the defense and the attack. Early in the game, Skyla’s clearance found Eleanor, who set up Nancy for a cool finish. Later, Connie came off the bench, dribbled past two defenders, and smashed the ball high into the net for a second goal. Final score:

 

Southill 2 – 0 Beechcroft

 

Their penultimate group game saw Southill take on Conifers Primary School. Buoyed by their earlier win, the girls played with confidence and flair. Lacey’s hard tackles and clearances paid off when Nancy fired an unstoppable shot from outside the box. Southill dominated the match, camping in the opposition’s half throughout. Final score:

 

Southill 1 – 0 Conifers

 

The final group game pitted Southill against a well-organised Wyke Regis team. Playing into the wind made it challenging to advance up the pitch, but the team’s defensive line, led by Harmony, Skyla, Lacey, and Georgia, held firm. Eleanor, Iyla, and Connie worked tirelessly to relieve the pressure and create opportunities. Final score:

 

Southill 0 – 0 Wyke Regis

 

With two wins and three draws, Southill Girls FC advanced to the quarter-finals unbeaten. There, they faced St Nicholas and St Lawrence, another undefeated team. Southill dominated possession, pinning their opponents in their half, but despite relentless pressure, the match remained goalless. Penalties were required to decide the winner. Despite their best efforts, Southill lost 4-3 in a nail-biting shootout.

 

Southill 0 – 0 St Nicholas and St Lawrence (P)

 

The girls displayed incredible determination, teamwork, and skill throughout the tournament, making their coaches and supporters immensely proud.

 

Southill Boys FC

 

The boys kicked off their tournament against Beechcroft, creating four excellent chances to score. However, luck wasn’t on their side, and a swift counter-attack saw Beechcroft sneak a goal against the run of play. Final score:

 

Southill 0 – 1 Beechcroft

 

In their second match, the boys faced St Augustine’s, a team they had beaten earlier in the school year. Southill controlled the game with composed play at the back, clever passing, and sharp movement. Gurraag, Maxwell, Ellis, Eli and Max were passing for fun, showing no signs of pressure. A brilliant team move led to Noah finishing coolly past the keeper. Final score:

 

Southill 1 – 0 St Augustine’s

 

The third game against Radipole was fiercely competitive and evenly matched. Despite several powerful shots from Ashton, Noah and Filip, a defensive mix-up allowed Radipole to score the only goal of the match. Final score:

 

Southill 0 – 1 Radipole

 

Facing last year’s champions, Chickerell, the boys knew they had to deliver. A through ball from Noah to Ashton resulted in a ferocious strike that beat the keeper. Determined defending ensured Southill held on for a crucial victory. Final score:

 

Southill 1 – 0 Chickerell

 

The final group game against Bridport was a tactical battle, with both teams struggling to create clear chances. Southill’s disciplined defense and possession play secured a draw, enough to see them through to the quarter-finals. Final score:

 

Southill 0 – 0 Bridport

 

In the quarter-finals, the boys faced St Andrews. Calm, composed defending drew the opposition out of position, creating gaps in midfield. One such opportunity saw Ashton receive a slick pass and bury it into the net. The boys held firm to claim victory. Final score:

 

Southill 1 – 0 St Andrews

 

The semi-finals presented a rematch against Radipole. Southill played with determination, defending brilliantly and making fingertip saves to keep the game level. The match went to penalties, where both teams showed composure. Despite scoring an impressive eight penalties, Southill fell short as Radipole edged them 8-9 in the shootout.

 

Southill 0 – 0 Radipole (P)

 

Tournament Highlights

 

It was an incredible day of football, filled with skill, teamwork, and unforgettable moments. Both Southill teams should be extremely proud of their performances. Congratulations to Bincombe Valley Girls and Bridport Boys, who emerged as tournament champions.

A huge thank you to Andy Yates and the Weymouth College students for organising and refereeing the matches. Thanks also to the parents who cheered us on, to Mr. Frampton and Lisa for capturing the action shots, and to Rob Curry for coaching the boys. Lastly, a big shoutout to the 17 Southill players who represented their school with such determination and spirit.

Tom

#TheMightySPS