Premier League Football Tournament

For the fourth time in our history, Ashmount’s footballers fell at the semi-final stage in the Premier League Football Tournament held at Market Road.32 schools from Islington, Camden and Hackney assembled all with high hopes of representing Arsenal FC at the National Finals which would be held at Everton Football Club in May.

We were placed in a group of three alongside St Peter’s and St Paul’s Primary and Hanover Primary, two schools whom we hadn’t played this season. Both turned out to be good sides and we had to come back from a goal behind against St Peter’s & St Paul’s to win 2-1 thanks to Stephane and Jordan. Hanover were beaten 3-0 with Jordan (2) and Stephane (1) again on target, but then we suffered a minor setback losing to a last minute goal to St Peter’s and St Paul’s. In this group each school played each other twice and we needed a win in the last game to finish top of the group and Jordan (2) and Stephane (1) made sure of that as we won 3-1 against Hanover.

So from here it was into the knockout stage, with 16 schools left. We were drawn against Hackney school, Millfields Primary and turned on the style as we won 4-0 with goals from Jordan (2), Stephane (1) and Han (1). Another Hackney school were up next in the Quarter Final as we faced De Beauvoir Primary. Here the side put on their most impressive performance of the day with goals from Han (2), Stephane (1) and Jordan (1) putting us into the semi finals.

Our friends from Canonbury Primary stood in our way of a final spot and from the start they made sure they would make it hard as possible for us. Taking advantage of their goal keeper's height and kicking power we were put under pressure with a host of long balls. Canonbury also aware of our own version of MSN (Messi, Suarez and Neymar) HJS, defended stoutly with their keeper proving hard to pass. After 10 minutes the game remained 0-0 so it was onto 5 minutes of extra time. With two minutes to go another direct long ball was not dealt with and a Canonbury player scored from short range to put them 1-0. We tried to find an equaliser but it too late and we were beaten.

The day was not over as we had to play a 3rd/4th play off game against Thomas Abney and to the team’s credit they overcame their disappointment to win 4-1 with Han, Stephane, Jordan and an own goal sealing the win. Ultimately finishing 3rd could not help overcome the disappointment of losing at the semi final stage, but the children were praised for their attitudes and football. Countless onlookers commented on our attacking, exciting style of our play.

The eventual winners were Gillespie Primary and well done to them, however we can take some small consolation that in the three games we have played against them we have won all three, so we are not far away. With 4 of the 5 boys, including Cameron and goalkeeper Sid who more than played their part, in the team being in Year 5 we will be back next year for another go. I was especially proud of our three girls Fedan, Zoe and Tanya who played superbly and were not fazed when up against some very good players.

Squad :- Sid, Cameron, Stephane, Han, Jordan (captain), Fedan, Zoe and Tanya.

Islington Primary Schools League

The boys made it three out three as we beat Hargave Park Primary 5-0, with doubles for Han and Stephane, alongside a goal for debutant Diago.

Squad:- Patrick, Amir, Archie, Han, Cameron, Stephane, Diago and Cory.

Goals were again hard to come for as the girls drew 0-0, despite lots of possession. When we did get through to goal Hargrave Park’s goalkeeper was on good form to deny us.

Squad:- Jodie, Tanya, Mollie, Zoe, Fedan, Millie, Khadija, Yayla and Natalia.