Football drama as staff take on prefects!
Last Friday, the annual 7-a-side prefects vs Thursday Staff Football match took place on the astros. Whilst less-heralded than the headline Year 13 Leavers vs Staff 11-a-side match (which is for 1st XI players), this fixture has grown into a real annual treat to mark the end of prefect team duties, and this most recent version produced a match to live long in the memory.
The match started off with both sides locked in a tight, goalless, stalemate. Ryan's incredible collection of saves kept the students in the game as the staff piled on the early pressure. Dr Hubbard then opened the scoring with a clean strike off the post, much to the delight of the teachers watching. The prefects regrouped, helped on by the cheering crowd of Year 13s.
Down 0-1 going into the second half, the prefects had to take advantage of any chances they had at scoring. Daniel equalised for the prefects, sumptuously curling the ball into the top corner beyond Mr Dixon's reach. Then followed the most controversial moment of the match, when Mr Redmond put in a robust slide tackle on goal-scorer Daniel, to a frenzy of contestation from the Year 13 supporters. With the crowd of year 13s baying for a red card, Mr Redmond was instead sent to the sin bin. Unfortunately for the prefects, and perhaps rattled by the earlier scything challenge, Mr McLaughlin then scored with a classy finish, sending the ball curling into the top corner. The staff then quickly added another, this time from Mr Curran and following some tidy footwork by him. Now down 3-1, the prefects desperately searched for a comeback. Daniel pulled out another goal, capitalising on some staff defensive frailty to make it 3 - 2. Mr Redmond, now filling the role of pantomime villain, then came back on to add salt to the wound, nonchalantly curling the ball past Ryan into the top corner, much to the displeasure of the prefects. Daniel managed to get a 3rd goal, completing his hat-trick, but it was too little too late as the prefects couldn't find an equaliser before the final whistle. Unconfirmed reports have since appeared on the forums that the final whistle may have been blown prematurely. When contacted for comment, a staff representative indicated that a review of events will take place, both to reaffirm the legitimacy of the staff's victory, and to placate a smarting prefect team.
A special mention to man-of-the-match Daniel (hat-trick hero), who deservedly earned himself the match ball, signed by staff and students. Special mention to Ashwin too for a Maldini-esque defensive masterclass.
All in all, the match continued the now well-established tradition of healthy competition between the staff and prefects on the astros. Whilst the outcome wasn't one which the prefects would have wanted, the match was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who played, and by the spectators. Well played all!
Minhyuk (Year 13)