U10s Football Tournament, Berkhamsted - Saturday 19 March

After the unfortunate defeat to Great Missenden in the cup on Wednesday meant the U10s were eager to prove their worth at the Berkhamstead tournament. A tough first game, but a 1-0 win over the hosts first team gave Gateway the confidence to take forward into the next game against Kings Langley. Another tough game which could have gone either way as both teams battled but it was Gateway who secured the victory with another 1-0 from the foot of Harry N. In the next match we were up against UCS B and Berkhamsted had earlier hammered them 5-0. Naturally Gateway walked onto the pitch with confidence. The thought of winning before stepping onto the pitch. The only problem was that to win you have to score goals and it was a steep learning curve for the boys when we could not get the ball between the posts. Credit has to be given to UCS for sterling performance but settling for a 0-0 draw was a good lesson to be learned as we moved forward into the knockout stage.

A team talk before the start of the game against Lincroft and the mood had changed, if Gateway wanted to be in the final, they had to earn it. Stepping up the tempo in the quarters and this was more like Gateway football, knocking 2 past their keeper and Stan C still had a clean sheet.

Into the semi-finals and Radlett School were standing in the way of Gateway getting to the final. The game was non-stop football that saw the ball being moved from end to end with chances for both teams. Stan C was not about to give up that clean sheet easily, he made some terrific saves to keep the ball out of Gateway’s net. Finally the ball in the back of Radlett’s net meant that Gateway were into the final against The Beacon.

We knew the Beacon were a tough team having watched them lift the Claires Court trophy a few weeks before. A fantastic display of football from both teams battling hard in tackles and closing down space. Unfortunately it was Beacon who secured the first goal and left Gateway on the chase. In the second half the boys played their hearts out and created a few chances, unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be. The boys walked away with their heads held high and a silver medal around their neck. Their behaviour was impeccable and they were fantastic ambassadors for the school. Well done to the entire squad that played

Squad: Adam Y, Joss K, Ollie L, Jonty W, Stan C, Dominic H, Harry N, Will SC-B, Ross

Results:

Gateway v Berkhamsted A 1-0
Gateway v Kings Langley 1-0
Gateway v UCS B 0-0
QF - Gateway v Lincroft 2-0
SF - Gateway v Radlett 1-0
F - Gateway v The Beacon 0-1