Events

Wednesday 23 March 2011

As the sun started to set on a beautiful March day, Mr Wallace nervously paced the pitch at Margate Football Club, contemplating the task that lay ahead.
Seven months earlier, the Year 8 boys had just come off the pitch after defeating Sir Roger Manwood's 4 - 0 away. Goals from Adams, Paxman and Cohen ensured a comfortable victory. Now, only five games on, lay the biggest test of all: a final versus The Howard School, who had strolled past Dane Court in the quarter finals the previous year.

Returning to the changing rooms, Mr Wallace, Mr White and Mr Towe said their last few words to each other, before calling in the boys to get ready for the challenge that lay ahead. After quickly changing into their kit, they went out onto the pitch to start their warm up; heart rates rose, muscles got stretched, touches sharpened and the atmosphere built as the crowd arrived.

One by one, Mr Wallace spoke to players...Tucker was to dominate his box... McGuirk do what he did best: hassle them; no time on the ball; run all night... Holden: win those tackles and be strong. Mr White spoke next: the boys had to remember to look to their left, look to their right, take that energy from their teammates put it inside with our own and give it everything. As the referee's bell rang, Mr Towe finished with a declaration of pride.

The boys left the changing room led by their captain, Adams, to a crescendo of noise. The mist started to descend on the arena, the whistle blew and the match was on.

The early pace was furious; Adams and Holden led quickly and strongly into tackles, Paxman and Cohen hunted the ball down as The Howard School tried to settle on the ball and look behind Dane Court for space to run into, but our fullbacks were sharp and quickly dealt with any danger quickly and confidently.

Out of seemingly nothing, Adams broke with ball into midfield; a couple of quick passes amongst the team and the ball was back at his feet to riffle in a drive from 20 yards, into the bottom corner. GOAL! A cracking start for Dane Court.

Still in awe of their achievement, the Dane Court boys continued to press, the crowds energy lifting each and every one of them. Jordan chased down the wing; Mileham hurried their centre backs, like a pack of wolves on the hunt. The boys never let the ball rest at the feet of Howard. Within minutes of each other, half-chances fell to Paxman and Mileham and then the second breakthrough... Downer won the ball and played it down the line, Mileham nipped it off their centre back; played across the box to Paxman, whose Van Persie-esque left foot placed the ball in the back of net.

Howard, however, were not going to give up without a fight; they quickened their pace, looked into the channels, trying to find space for their whippet-like forwards. Orders were roared from the touchline, aiding the excellent organisation of McGuirk. Some minutes turned into seconds, others seemed like hours, as time and time again the defence ensured that each and every fire of attack was snuffed out before half-time.

Half-time came and went with quiet words of focus coming from Towe, Wallace and White: they needed to start the second half with a buzz, knowing only too well that Howard would throw everything at them. Foster flew in from the whistle, chest out, full of pride, with the ball at his feet in midfield. Jordan played the ball wide right to Mileham, who beat the defender, looked up and played the ball into Paxman, who quickly flicked it into the path of Cohen, who in turn touched it back to McGuirk. He then side-stepped the centre back and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner. The crowd erupted, Mr Towe dropped to his knees with a smile larger than the Grand Canyon! What a team goal! Some of the older members of the crowed mused about the resemblance to something they had seen by Brazil in a World Cup...

Howard continued to huff and puff, but once again, the Dane Court defence held strong. Ives slid into block and Holden saw off any danger in the six yard box. As they pressed, Mr Wallace paced the touchline, exploding with excitement as Dane Court broke with pace on the counter attack. Finally, McGuirk found one final bit of magic and sealed victory with a calm finish. Good work, once again coming from Mileham: 4 - 0.

The full-time whistle went and the celebrations started! Dane Court had played a fine game of football that was accentuated by skill and hard work. A big thank you goes to The Howard School, who performed with courage and to all the boys, parents, pupils and teachers who played an important role in this great success.