National Football Semi Finalists After Dramatic Penalty Shoot Out!
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- Published: Friday, 13 February 2015 14:01
Our Year 11 Football team made the long journey to Oadby in Leicestershire to face Lancaster School in the Quarter Final of the National Cup on Thursday.
After a long journey, tough conditions and no doubt some nerves, our boys started the game poorly. Lancaster dominated the opening stages, showing pace, power and technical ability. Without any intensity in our play, no pressure on the Lancaster players and lacking quality with the ball, only some fine goalkeeping kept us in the game at HT, going in 1-0 down.
At HT, a few harsh words from the management were needed in an attempt to bring our side to life. The moment the 2nd half started, St Thomas More had arrived into the game, with our first chance being created only for the goalkeeper to save well from Franklin Craik. As the half went on the side grew in confidence, belief and hope, now dominating the possession and territory. In tricky conditions there was still good football being played and chances to be had, the biggest when a huge shout for a penalty was denied after Lewis Gard was brutally taken down inside the box. 
With the clock ticking down and legs tired, our subs were introduced into the game to add energy to final minutes of the game. With 20 seconds left to play in normal time, Ethan Baldwin smashed home the equaliser to send the game into extra time. Thoroughly deserved after a passionate 2nd half display.
Into HT, other than a fine save from the Lancaster keeper form a Lewis Gard snapshot, neither team offered a huge amount, with both teams defending deep and protecting what they had the game went to penalties………
Leaving the boys to sort out themselves with penalties, a simple message of ‘hit the target’ was the only instruction on offer. Both teams scored their first 6 penalties, followed by 5 straight saves, leaving Tom Elliott to step up with the confidence to send the Lancaster keeper the wrong way and put St Thomas More High School into the PlayStation Schools U16 Premier League Semi-Final!
The game was played in great spirit from both sides, massive congratulations to the staff and players a Lancaster School, whose school should be very proud of the way they performed both on and off the pitch, fantastic hosts for the game.
A truly monumental display from all the boys in the 2nd half and extra time, a real test of character and our toughest test to date. All the boys involved should be immensely proud of themselves for their achievements so far, however not be getting carried away there is another game to be played, quite unbelievably, for a chance to make the final of a National competition. The semi-final will be against Beechen Cliff School from Bath in Somerset, due to be played after half term at a Premier League training ground nearby.
Romans 5:3-4
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope”