London Youth Games

Ashmount’s football team ventured South to the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre to represent Islington in the London Youth Games. At this annual event which is seen as Europe’s largest sport festival, and attended by schools from all 33 London boroughs, Ashmount were placed in a group of four with St James Hatcham (Lewisham), Fox Primary (Kensington and Chelsea) and Our Lady of Lourdes (Enfield). First up were St James Hatcham, and just the start we needed, as a goal from Jordan set up a 1-0 win. Fox Primary were next up, and another win with goals from Jordan and Han. With qualification into the last 16 assured, it was still important to finish top, and we achieved this playing out a 0-0 draw. So onto the final 16 where the qualifying schools were split into groups of four again to determine the quarter finalists.

As with all competitions the further you go the better the opposition. This proved to be the case, as in our first two games we went down by the odd goal to Breakspear Academy (Hillingdon), and Sacred Heart (Barnet). Despite knowing we had been eliminated, we still had a top ten place to play for, but would only achieve this with a win against Millbank Academy (Westminster), who still had hopes of qualifying. The boys saved the best till last as they produced a fantastic performance to win 2-0 and a final position of joint ninth. Goals from Rufus and Jordan sealed the points and a happy ending to the day. Overall the boys were excellent. To finish in the top 10 in London, where over 500 schools entered is a great effort, and one which the boys should be really proud of. Also playing with three boys below year 6 demonstrates why the future is looking very bright for Ashmount Primary.

Squad :- Dylan, Olajuwon, Adam, Zak, Rufus, Jordan, Han and Stephane.