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!
