Premier League Schools Tournament

Ashmount’s long wait to win the Premier League Schools Tournament finally came to an end when our mixed team triumphed at Market Road last Tuesday. To give some context in terms of how close we have come here goes! In the past 10 years the school has lost in one final, four semi finals and a quarter final, so to say we were due this is an understatement. Also on the school sporting calendar this is the tournament that everyone wants to win. Why you may ask? Well the prize is an experience not many children will ever encounter. Winning this stage means Ashmount will represent Arsenal FC, at the National Finals which will be played at Stamford bridge, home of Premier League runaway leaders Chelsea FC. Along with this there will be many other perks which I will reveal after the competition in May.

So onto the day itself. 32 schools from Islington, Hackney and Camden, all gathered with hopes of becoming champions. The schools were split into groups of four, with the top two going into the last 16 knockout stage. Our first opponents were Laycock Primary who were simply blown away as we won 4-0, with a hatrick for Stephane and goal from Han. Pakeman Primary followed and another comfortable 3-0 win (Han 2, Stephane 1 and Cameron 1). Despite sitting in a strong position it was important to finish top of the group and we achieved that beating Hanover Primary 3-0 with a double for Cameron and one for Archie.

So from 32 we were down to 16, and it was very simple, win or go home. Queensbridge Primary from Hackney were next, and again the team were brilliant sailing into a four goal lead with doubles for Han and Stephane. Queensbridge pulled one back with a couple minutes left, but it was too little to late. As it turned out we were drawn to play Laycock again in the quarter final. Laycock to their credit banished any thoughts from the first game and went on the attack, coming close twice, when hitting the crossbar and having a shot which nearly went over the line, but was scrambled safe by goalkeeper Sid. Ashmount then stepped up a gear and took the lead through Han. Soon it was two through Stephane and Han struck again to seal a place in the semi-final.

In front of us stood, last years winners Gillespie Primary who had sailed into the final four with a shed load of goals, mainly down to their wonder player Ethan, who had already scored 15 goals on the day and is on the books of Chelsea FC. The team talk before kick off revolved around keeping the ball away from him and looking to attack. We started off well and soon took the lead when Han scored with a fine goal. Han soon doubled the lead, and a fine move ended with Archie scoring from close range, to put us 3 up. The best goal was saved for the last, as Cameron sublimely lobbed the goalkeeper to make it 4. As the final whistle went, the job was done and the final beckoned. After the game Gillespie were very gracious in defeat and it was nice to see Ethan and Han who are good friends sharing a smile and joke together.

So the final saw us going into the unknown as we took on another Hackney school, Millfields Primary. In front of the large crowd that had assembled to watch, both sides started off cautiously, before captain Stephane put us ahead. Millfields pressed forward but our defence held firm. With two minutes to go Stephane made it two, and victory was in sight. As the whistle to end the game victory was ours and the children were jubilant, and were more than deserved and popular winners. The winning shield was presented to the team by two Arsenal Academy players, Alex Crean and Charlie Gilmour, then it was onto photos which included Arsenal’s mascot Gunnersaurus.

Report continued on next page.