This week saw the U16 boys football team kick-off their English Schools campaign and, after winning their first Hampshire Cup game last week, the boys were in high spirits.  After arriving slightly later than planned due to ferry delays, the boys had to quickly warm up. This did not stop them from getting off to a quick start though.  After looking threatening from the start, Oakleigh managed to break the deadlock after 10 minutes as he slotted the ball past the keeper. When Euan followed this up shortly after with another well taken goal, Carisbrooke were well in the driving seat.  

Mayville offered a slight scare from a free kick which rebounded off the post, but Gabe reacted quickly to take control and get Carisbrooke out of trouble. As Carisbrooke started to realise where the space was, the pressure really started to mount on Mayville. Owen scored the third goal with a well timed shot, and this was followed shortly afterwards by a stunning strike to the top corner by Euan for his second. Carisbrooke looked in full control at this point. 

Clyde and Riley continued to dominate in the middle of the field and, as they found Euan increasingly out on the left which led to some superb crossing, it was only a matter of time before the next goal came. With half time nearing, there was time for one more goal thanks to Flynn. He finished in style from just inside the box as his shot slotted in the far corner.

At half time, the boys knew the game was all but over, but what the game did present was the chance for WestbyBall to be created.  As Mr Westby challenged the boys to deliver better as a team by keeping the ball and moving it round, Carisbrooke had plenty to focus on, especially as subs were plenty and rotations of positions would increase during the second half.  

As the team began the second half, Carisbrooke took on this challenge and moved the ball up the field as a team and started creating better chances.  With a change of style up front, Bobby became the target man and, as he looked after the ball, others began to make promising runs through the back line.  Shots in the first half from outside the box which were sailing over, suddenly disappeared and, instead of rushing chances, the team made some lovely intricate passes which tore open their opponents time and time again. With Riley scoring from a corner as he slipped in at the back post and Owen scoring his second goal thanks to a brave header at the back post, Carisbrooke looked like they could be on for a record win in the competition (which Carisbrooke set in 2014 when they won 8-0).  It didn't take long for the eighth goal to come as Theo pushed forward leaving a couple of midfielders behind and struck the ball from just outside the box into the top far corner for the goal of the game.  When Owen then turned the ball home after a scrappy few moments of play in the box for his hat-trick, and Oliver poked home his first of the game, Carisbrooke looked like they were ready to see out the game comfortably; especially as Jim, Tyler, Jack, Theo and Ackeem had barely let anything past them throughout the game. However, a quick break from Mayville led to a throw in which wasn't dealt with, and Mayville presented with their first chance of the second half to capitalise with a well taken goal. This only motivated the boys to play to the end and, as Theo came on for the last few minutes after literally begging to go up front, he stuck to his promise and quickly put the ball in the back of the net: not just once but twice to claim the second hat-trick of the game just before the final whistle was blown!  

The boys won the game 12-1 thanks to some great team football. 

Man of the Match goes to Euan for his range of distribution throughout and Theo for getting his hat-trick despite playing at right back for most of the game.

Well done, lads!

The next round will see Carisbrooke travel to Dorset.