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Following their superb semi-final performance against St Simon Stock our year 7 boys faced School of Science & Technology in the Maidstone Schools District Championship Cup Final after they beat The Malling School 5-2.

Similarly to the semi-final when we had already played St Simon Stock, we have also already played SST which was a 1-0 win in the last minute courtesy of Owen Williams. So the team talk was very similar making sure the boys didn’t think they had already won just because we had beaten them before.

SAA started well, enjoying most of the possession. Reggie picked up the ball from deep before driving forward and unleashing a rocket into the top corner to spark celebration in front of the main stand at the Gallagher stadium. From here on, it was SST who began dominate the ball. Some superb tackles from Alfie & Fraser as well as some dragged shots kept Charlie’s net empty for the time being. SAA’s only other opportunities came from the tenacity of Henry down the right who won several corners and set pieces. The defence stood strong for the remainder of the half.

Our aim in the second half was to try and press the opposition more & take care with the ball once we got it back. SAA started to do just that as Owen came on and began to link defence, midfield and attack but SAA struggled to create anything of note. That was until Alfie  unleashed a thunderbolt from distance which cannoned off the crossbar and fell to Oscar who swivelled and blasted the ball into the top corner. A stunning strike for 2-0. This cushion was short-lived after a headed back pass was intercepted by the SST striker who was clattered into by keeper Charlie for a spot kick. The striker dusted himself down and drilled the ball low into the net for 2-1. Game on! SAA settled down again and wingers David & Henry were driving us up the pitch but couldn’t not find space for a shooting opportunity. SST began to throw bodies forward and won several corners. Some excellent deliveries from the corner caused chaos in the SAA box and the ball ricocheted off an SAA hand to give SST their second penalty of the afternoon. Once again, the striker buried it and the score was level at 2-2. The game ticked on and headed to the dreaded penalties.

Reggie, Henry, David, Owen & Dennis bravely volunteered for our first five kicks. Reggie stepped up first and fired it over the crossbar but keeper Charlie kept the shootout score at 0-0 by saving the SST striker's penalty with his foot and onto the post. Next up was David who dispatched his penalty into the corner of the net via the post for 2-1. SST responded with a good penalty to level the scoring again at 2-2. Henry stepped up next and slotted the ball to the keeper's left to retake the lead. This put pressure on SST to score again and this time they couldn’t level it up as their player put his penalty wide of the goal. Owen was next having been the nemesis for SST in our previous meeting, he stepped up again and scored with a well taken penalty. The SST player then had to score. He attempted to hit it high down the middle of the goal but Charlie stood strong to parry it away causing spectacular scenes of celebration for the SAA boys. An incredible run after losing our first two games as a team. We’re delighted they managed to bring the cup back to SAA

⭐️ Player of the Match ⭐️ Charlie - when it went to penalties we had full confidence in keeper Charlie. An excellent shot stopper he has been for us this year and he showed it again in the shoot-out to save 2. Well done to everyone in the squad, we’re proud of you all!