Year 9 Boys Football National Cup 5th Round - Away vs Little Heath
The Best in Oxfordshire
Coming into today's game, the boys were one win away from being the final team left to represent Oxfordshire in the National Competition. We travelled away to Little Heath, near Reading who had some convincing wins under their belt so far in the competition. A very decent match up ahead in extremely cold, windy conditions.
For a change, the boys started off in excellent fashion, scoring 2 goals in the first 10 minutes to put Little Heath on the back foot. Opening the scoring was Charlie, with a mazy winding run from midfield all the way to the edge of the 18 yard box. He skipped past the final defender and placed the ball in the far left side of the goal. This was then accompanied by a great solo run down the left hand side by Romaro. He took on the opposite full back, pushed the ball inside and smashed the ball into the near post. A convincing start in harsh conditions.
Cue some pressure. Against the wind, the boys began to get pushed back and from this the lead evaporated. Two wind assisted strikes by the midfielders of Little Heath got them back into the game. Absolutely nothing Fred in goal could do. Just before the break, Little Heath took the lead, scoring another with the momentum behind them. The boys would have to come back again for the third time so far this year to pull themselves into the next round.
After a half time break and reassuring chat, the boys regained composure and with the wind behind them applied pressure to the Little Heath defence. From a corner, midway through the half, the ball fell to Joel who calmly put the ball in the net to equalise. Game on!
The next ten minutes were mostly controlled by the Y9 Cheney boys, pressing well to keep Little Heath camped into their half. A chance broke to Liam in the final 10 minutes and with no doubt, he converted. Liam picked up the ball 25 yards out and drilled the ball into the top corner to take the lead. Game management would be key now. Adjustments made, but the boys couldn't hold on. With two minutes to go, Elcano made a superb block for the ball to go behind for a corner. From the resulting clearance, Little Heath's winger dribbled past the Cheney defensive line and put the ball into the roof of the net. At this point, the best outcome would be extra time.
Again though, the Cheney boys have other ideas. Long ball from Joel out to the left back/right wing area, the defender hesitates and Liam needs no second invitation to take the ball past him and whip the ball into the top corner. I cannot believe what I've seen from the team, yet again!!!
Another close game, but in crucial moments the boys come out on top. Their desire and bouncebackability is of the highest quality.
We close the year on a high and are eager to see who we will meet in the Round of 32.
Y9 Girls Football Friendly vs Oxford Spires, Monday 2 December 2024
A narrow defeat to end 2024 for the Y9 Girls
The Y9 girls team had another chance to build up their minutes before their County Cup run next term. They played an Oxford Spires side who triumphed over the girls last year. Many of the Cheney Girls went into the game in good spirits and felt confident they could end 2024 with a win and avenge last year’s defeat.
The girls began the game in good shape, pressing the ball in the Spires half and had a couple of chance in the opening 10 minutes but couldn’t quite put the ball past the Spires defence and goalkeeper. Typically, against the run of play, one of the Spires midfielders took a speculative shot, which deflected and sent an unfortunate Lylah the wrong way. Spires led 1-0, but the girls continued to show confidence to get back in the game. As the half went on, further opportunities came and went. Until 5 minutes before the half, Elise played through Riss who was initially beaten to the ball by the Spires Goalkeeper but the clearance landed back to Riss who looped the ball over the Spires keeper from 25 yards to equalise. Game on!
Several changes at half time saw a change in formation but the girls continued their fight for the win. Iris, Riss and Elise went close in the opening stages of the second half. But it was Spires who managed to retake the lead midway through the half with a good strike from 25 yards out. Into the last ten minutes, the girls pushed for an equaliser but unfortunately, they would run out of time and fall to a 2-1 defeat.
The girls weren’t disheartened and very much looked at the positives at full time, of which there were plenty!
The 2023/2024 Cheney Sports Team of the Year will look to the County Cup Draw after Christmas to see if they can go one round further than their semi final last year.
Year 9 Boys Football National Cup 4th Round vs Lord Williams, Friday 29 November 2024
A 5 star performance
All week the boys have been talking about this fixture, so to say they were excited to get out onto the pitch on Friday afternoon was an understatement. The biggest concern going into this game was whether the boys would start slowly like previous rounds, this was not the case. Winning the toss, the boys chose to kick off and asserted dominance in possession of the ball. Again they pressed as a unit and worked a few opportunities in the opening 10 minutes but weren’t rewarded. This was until 15 minutes into the half where Liam broke through and put the Cheney boys ahead and deservedly. This was closely followed up by Joel who doubled the boys lead going into the break. All the boys played their part in the first half which was as close to perfect as they have been all year so far.
However, coming out of the break they were tested after Lord Williams got one back to make it 2-1. Now was a question of whether the boys would re-double their efforts or sit back and allow Lord Williams’ the ball. The boys, as they have throughout this campaign, re-doubled their efforts and applied some excellent pressure to the back line of Lord Williams. Over the next 15 minutes, Liam, Rayhan and Romaro added goals 3, 4 and 5 to comfortably place the Year 9 boys into the 5th Round of the National Cup. This currently ranks them as one of the top 64 teams in the country and should be celebrated as a great achievement in itself. But I know that the lads still have plenty to give in the next round away to Little Heath of Reading to push themselves even further into the latter stages of this competition.
Year 8 Girls Football Match - Away vs. Oxford Spires, Monday 25 November 2024
A comfortable win!
14 Year 8 Girls made the short walk to Oxford Spires for our annual round of Friendlies against Oxford Spires. The girls started off in superb fashion, pressing the Oxford Spires defence into several mistakes in the opening minutes. A breakthrough followed just inside 5 minutes. Myven collected the ball and took on the Spires left back, after moving past her, she delivered an excellent cross and on the volley, Ellie smashed the ball into the roof of the net. A deserved lead after plenty of pressure.
The girls continued the pressing theme throughout the rest of the half and were rewarded with two further goals. Firstly, Lucy picked the ball up on the right hand side and managed to beat the left back. She then cut the ball back to Myven on the edge of the area who then expertly dribbled past two defenders and slotted the ball underneath the keeper. Finally to round of the half, the girls were given a free kick right edge of the area- around 20 yards out. Ellie confidently stepped up to take the kick and placed the ball in the top corner. A commanding 3-0 lead at the break.
A few changes in personnel and tactics in the second half allowed the coaching team to see players in various new positions and meant a slightly different look to the pattern of play in the second half of the game. Although, the Cheney girls managed to add another goal to the score line midway through the half with one of the plays of the game. Tanya intercepted a pass in the middle of midfield, she immediately found Ruby on the left wing with an excellently timed slide-rule pass cutting through the defensive line of Spires. Ruby threaded another wonderfully weighted pass to an arriving Ellie who put the ball in the back of the net for her hat-trick.
Moving into the final 5 of the game, the girls were unfortunately unable to keep a clean sheet. A great dribbling run from Spires player of the match saw her place the ball past Tiggy in goal. But this goal took nothing away from a dominant Cheney Year 8 Girls performance!
We look forward to the Year 8 Girls next match in the County Plate in the New Year.
Year 7 Boys Football vs Greyfriars, Monday 18 November 2024
Goals Goals Goals.
Cheney School welcomed back Mr Dunne to Cheney Lane for an eagerly anticipated Year 7 Boys Football Fixture. A huge local clash against Greyfriars certainly had the Year 7 lads psyched up, all looking to show their ability to the capacity Year 11 crowd. A bitterly cold afternoon began on a sour note with the Cheney boys conceding the opener after 5 minutes. A common theme with all Cheney Sports teams shone through - resilience. The boys dug deep and showed great character on the ball to begin to open up the Greyfriars' defence, playing some really free flowing 2 touch football to create some excellent efforts on goal. These efforts were rewarded with two goals in quick succession. Firstly, Freddie from a corner powering home a header from 6 yards to equalise and then Jack hitting a strong low shot on goal and crashing in off the post. The boys were in full control. Or so they thought, Greyfriars grew back into the game toward the end of the half and managed to score an equaliser after a speculative strike. All square at the half.
Greyfriars started brightly in the second half after a magnitude of changes for the Cheney boys. Struggling to get a grip into the game, Greyfriars capitalised and scored to take the lead early on in the half. A further goal was scored from a free kick midway through the half by Greyfriars to really take control of the contest. However, the boys didn't give up and continued to create chances. Late on in the game, Arlo latched onto a cross from Jack to half the deficit, making it 4-3. With 90 seconds left, the boys chose to move to an all out attack and a constant press in search of an equaliser. Unfortunately, this left huge gaps and Greyfriars made it 5-3.
Another thoroughly entertaining game with countless amounts of effort and ability. The Year 7 Boys now move into the county cup after Christmas.
Year 9 Boys English National Schools Cup Round 3 - Away vs Matthew Arnold School
The boys were eager to leave school to travel the short distance down to Botley for this eagerly anticipated encounter. A thorough tactical session and a lengthy warm up when arriving at Matthew Arnold set the boys up well- everyone was raring to go. But, we seemingly like to give oppositions a head start and this game followed that trend. Matthew Arnold’s striker latched onto a through ball within the first few minutes of the game and made it 1-0. The Cheney boys were determined to get back into the game and did so, with Liam breaking through the defensive lines to equalise midway through the first half. Cheney were seeing more and keeping more of the ball throughout the first half and looked dangerous, taking many shots from range. But Matthew Arnold was a threat on the counter attack, with their attacking players looking to utilise space in behind whenever they could. During the last 10 minutes of the half, the ball broke loose to the Matthew Arnold Midfield who again played through their striker. Our Defensive line was slower to react and the home side re-took the lead. But time and time again, this group of Year 9 Cheney boys do not quit. They took control of the last 5 minutes of the half and pressed the defence of the Matthew Arnold into mistakes. From this pressure, Joel collected the ball from 25 yards out and curled a ball into the top corner of the net to equalise at the half. All to play for!
A few tactical adjustments at the half and the boys came back out and continued their domination of the ball. Stopping the flow of the ball to their attackers and continuing to move the ball quickly and purposefully and shooting at will. Multiple opportunities kept coming but none could be put away, until 15 minutes to go. Liam again picked up the ball broke through the defensive line and slotted the ball past the keeper. The next 10 minutes, Matthew Arnold pushed players forward to try and equalise. The Year 9 boys continued to keep their energy high, putting bodies on the line and winning crucial challenges. But, with 1 minute left on the clock- heartbreak! A pass through to Romaro was cut out by the holding midfielder of Matthew Arnold, who played the ball wide and their winger produced a whipped cross to the back post where the opposite winger headed the ball in. 3-3 and heading into extra time- could the boys pick themselves back up?
In my mind, there was no doubt. They do not know when to give up and this combined with plenty of ability and a managerial tweak (boot the ball long) gave us every opportunity in the last 30 seconds. From kick off, Romaro played the ball back to Joel who found Liam with a lofted ball down the left wing. Liam beat their right back and drove to the by-line. He cut the ball back and there was Charlie who smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Cue - absolute limbs on the sidelines. I’ve jumped on Mr Evan’s back and ran all the way down the sideline in pure Jose Mourinho style. I am absolutely sure the boys also would have celebrated in the same fashion, but they had given their all and left everything out on the pitch.
All of the Year 9 boys were the stars of the show - pure determination, togetherness and resilience has taken them into the next round of the National Cup.
One of the best, if not the best match of the year so far. A thoroughly enjoyable contest. We await who we will play in Round 4 before the end of November.
Mr Fieldwick, PE Teacher
Year 8 Boys Away to St Birinus, Monday 11 November 2024
After plenty of cloudy days to start November, we were greeted by a cold crisp but sunny afternoon in Didcot for the Year 8 Boys County Cup Quarter Final. St Birinus started quickly, picking up a loose ball in the midfield and beating a couple of Cheney defenders to make it 1-0 in the opening few minutes. Determined to get a foot hold in the game, the boys got to work. Ehsan picked the ball up around 25 yards out, beat his opposing centre midfielder and rifled a shot past the keeper to equalise. Game on!
Moving into the last 10 minutes of the half, St Birinus regained the lead. A superb through ball played in behind our defence was finished off. Unfortunately, Cheney fell behind further before the break, a bobbly cross missed 2 defenders attempted clearances and fell to a St Birinus striker to tap in for 3-1 at the half.
The response after half time by the Cheney Boys was superb, dominating the first 5 minutes. They got their reward with Owen taking a speculative shot from 20 yards and another bobble, aiding the boys this time, took the ball past the keeper. 3-2, game on again! Unfortunately, tired legs took hold of the Year 8 Cheney boys as the half went on, a few too many long dribbling runs by several players. Followed by St Birinus continuing to play short passes and balls in behind helped them extend their lead by a further few goals as the half went on. A valiant effort from the boys, but their cup run ends at the quarter final stages this year.
Tuesday 16 October - U16 girls beat Burford 7-1 and now go through to the quarterfinals of the County Cup
2 students were given player of the match - Lara W-J and Ruby R.
Year 9 Boys Football 2nd Round Nationals - Home vs King Alfred’s
Last Wednesday (16th October), a very unseasonably mild afternoon where the Year 9 Boys had the opportunity to continue their run in the National Cup. The boys started strongly, keeping possession well in the first 5 minutes, testing the keeper a couple of times. However, a loose ball not cleared by the defence allowed the King Alfred’s striker to be in on goal and he calmly placed it into the net to lead 1-0 after 10 minutes. To their credit, the Year 9 Boys’ did not lose composure and continued to play. They were rewarded midway through the first half with a good finish from just inside the penalty area to equalise. But back came King Alfreds’ who took a speculative shot from the edge of the area and this ended up in the net to retake the lead. The first half ended with a further goal to the guests, who were given a penalty when a Cheney defender had an outstretched arm stop a shot before it reached the goal. King Alfred’s went into the break 3-1 ahead.
After a long but positive team talk at half time, the boys regained their composure and began to boss the game. A very high press accompanied with effort, encouragement and superb attitude gave the boys a great platform to push on and pin back the King Alfred defence. Initially, scoring from a driving run from midfield, Cheney had got back into the game with 15 minutes to go. The momentum firmly with the home side, they got back on level terms with 12 minutes left, a close shot from Cheney’s Right Winger. Then with 8 minutes left Cheney’s striker scored another close effort to secure a passage into the next round. A very mature effort from the boys to come from behind and set up a next round tie away to Matthew Arnold School.
Year 8 Girls Football 2nd Round Nationals - Away to The Bicester School
On Monday 14th October, the year 8 girls were in good spirits on the way up to Bicester to attempt to make it into round 3 of the National Football cup. The game began in drizzly rain which was favouring the home side, who made it to most lose balls and were putting pressure upon the Cheney defence. The Bicester School capitalised twice in the first half to lead 2-0 at half time. Unfortunately a very cold, rainy afternoon in Bicester would be the end of the road for the Year 8 Girls in the competition. Several attempts on target in the second half from a strong, physical Bicester School side led to further goals. The girls did work hard until the end with great effort and attitude throughout. They now look forward to the County Cup Plate which continues next term.
Year 7 Boys Nationals Match - Away to Sir Henry Floyd
Last Friday, another blue sky day as the Year 7 boys headed across to Aylesbury to play Sir Henry Floyd in the 2nd Round of the National Schools Cup.
The boys kicked off in front of a capacity lunchtime crowd of year 10/11 Sir Henry Floyd boys, you could not have blamed them for being shy and timid but they were the opposite - The Cheney Year 7 boys started extremely brightly. Arlo initially broke through the defensive line and Tommy followed up to score within the first 5 minutes of the half.
However, as time went on in the half, Sir Henry Floyd grew into the game and were roared on by the home crowd. A superb curling effort was placed into the top corner for an equaliser with 10 minutes to go in the first half. Another would have followed, if it was not for an outstanding save by Miyka, tipping a fierce shot round the post. Just before the half time whistle, Sir Henry Floyd did take the lead and led 2-1 at the break.
Moving into the second half, a few changes were made and Cheney grew further into the game. Pinning Sir Henry Floyd back into their half asking them to play intricate football to play past the Cheney press. Several efforts from the Year 7 Cheney Boys hit the post, bar and asked their goalkeeper to make several good stops. However, on the break, Sir Henry Floyd capitalised twice to extend their lead to 4-1 by the end. This did not reflect the outstanding work ethic the Year 7 Boys adopted on the day and we really look forward to the next games and seeing this team develop over the next few games.
Year 8 girls vs St Helens and St Katherine’s in the Oxfordshire County Cup 1st Round
A complete contrast to last week’s weather,on 7th October the girls were greeted with blue skies for their County Cup opener against a strong St Helens and St Katherine's side. The girls started strong looking to carry on their great form building from their 3-0 win away to Wheatley last week. The game was very tight in the first half, not many shots on target. Cheney going closest with a shot off the post towards the end of the half. Moving into the second half, a couple of tweaks to formation and a couple of changes gave Cheney the lead with 10 minutes to go. St Helens and St Katherine’s pushed for an equaliser and did manage to score from a failed clearance with 5 minutes to play. The girls moved into extra time with everything to play for, but again both sides cancelled each other out. The match then moved into a very tense penalty shoot out where the girls were edged out 4-5. Best of luck to St Helen’s and St Katherine’s in the next round.
The year 8 girls are away to Bicester School in the 3rd Round of the National cup to be played before the end of term.
Year 9 Girls vs The Oxford Academy in the National Cup
Last Thursday (3rd October) a full squad of 16 eager players, freshly cut grass & painted pitch on a blue sky day, everything we dream of when it comes to football. The girls started brightly keeping the ball well in the opening 10 minutes, but as time went on into the half The Oxford Academy grew into the game and displayed some impressive passing and dribbling which resulted in a 1-0 deficit at half time. However, the girls showed great resilience throughout the half and should have been level at the break. Into the second half, the girls trailed 2 -1 with 15 minutes to go, a great finish from Riss after the ball broke to her from a free kick. Unfortunately, as the half went on, the girls ran out of energy and fell to a 6-1 defeat. The year 9 girls can look forward to the county cup starting later on this year now and the possibility of a friendly or two in the not too distant future.
On a very wet and windy Tuesday (1st October), the Year 8 boys played away to Cherwell. Battling the elements, the boys looked to move into the 3rd round of the National Schools Cup. They came up against a very good Cherwell side, who started the game in fast fashion - scoring three early goals in the first 15 minutes of the half. The boys showed great resilience and composure to continue playing and in the next 10 minutes managed to score 3 great goals using some superb build up play from the back. However, Cherwell replied with two further goals - resulting in a 5-3 scoreline at the half. Determined to get back into the game, the boys doubled their efforts into the second half and got back to 5-4. But Cherwell then managed to push on the score a further 4 goals. Putting a gloss on an impressive 9-4 win. The Year 8 boys are through to the county cup 2nd round - tie to be announced. Goalscorer: Henry H (4).
Wins for both the year 8 boys and girls football teams
Last Thursday, 28th September, the Year 8 boys took on The Bicester School in the County Cup. A very up and down first half meant a 2-2 scoreline at the break. But a second half display of sublime dribbling and pinpoint passing was enough to run out as 6-4 winners. Goalscorers: Henry H (2), Ehsaan H, Owen B (2) and Jack J.
On Monday, the Year 8 girls travelled to Wheatley Park to play in the 2nd Round of the National Cup. Battling the wind, rain and hilly pitch, they dominated possession and had numerous chances to take the lead before the break, but could not beat an inspired Wheatley goalkeeping performance. They finally broke through in the second half, running out to a 3-0 win. Goalscorer: Lucy A (2) and Ellie F.
Congratulations All!
