Friday afternoon saw the inaugural Monteagle ‘Classico’ between Mr A’s Year 6’s and the Year 5’s coached by Miss Darcy. The match took place in front of a record crowd made up of parents, former students and current teachers who quoted to have thoroughly enjoyed the exciting affair. The match up was frenzied right from the off. The underdogs of Year 5 started the brighter with the excellent Prospero making great strides down the field for year 5. These advances were met well by the stronger, more physical approach of a solid Year 6 defence consisted of Lionel, Tayte and Chimaobi. The Year 5s remained on top early with both Bobby and Luca, channelling the recent success of their beloved West Ham, causing plenty of problems with their lungs busting running up and down the wings.
The Year 5s were yet to find any reward for their early pressure and Year 6 grew well into the game, with Aivaras in particular impressing with attacking contribution. Super Sub Samuel was more than up to the mark though in repelling the opposition.
After a couple of minor injuries Rayyan voluntarily took on the role of medic, providing quick and effective care for any players with minor ailment, ensuring that they were right and ready to go back onto the field.
In the closing moments of the first QUARTER, the deadlock was finally broken. Sensing the Goal Keeper off his line, Nathan seized on the chance to give the year 5s the lead with an excellently weighted lob from the half way line – cue pandemonium amongst the year five bench. One goal often breeds another, but unfortunately for Miss Darcy and to the delight of Mr A it was the Year 6’s turn this time. After a few minutes of sustained pressure and some formidable defence from David in the heart of an onslaught, a strong effort was stopped well by the Year 5 keeper first time only for Sean to react the fastest for an opportunistic tap in levelling the scores at 1-1at the break.
As the benches began to empty some impressive performances from Archie and Alfa amongst others kept the game competitive, but deadlocked none the less. Yet football these days is never far from controversy and the Year 6’s thought they had the winner, but for the timely interruption of VAR with special referees Mr Hardy, Mr Francis and Mr Hopkins all in agreement with our very fair referee Mr Collymore that the effort had not crossed the line.
As the game wound down on a scorching afternoon, players from both sides had given their all, but with no late attacking heroics it finished a draw in Dagenham. A fair result all round and another reminder of the competitive yet friendly spirit seen around Monteagle on a daily basis.
A special thanks to player turned reporter Teo, whose pitch side note taking and keen eye for stats allowed the writing of this report.
