TOUR OF MALTA: FOOTBALL (Updated)

Tour of Malta: Football

As Britain prepared and faced their largest storm in a decade CHS’ footballers enjoyed a successful tour of Malta in 30 degree heat. 

Although Malta is not one of the world’s most recognised when it comes to football (perhaps one of the least) but they have recorded notable victories over several big teams who have reached the final phases in World Cups  such as Belgium, Hungary, and Greece. Plus Malta has recently invested in the development of football on the island with a large number of football grounds being built throughout the island. This makes it a very good place to tour. England have played Malta three times and have a 100% record. CHS were hoping to enjoy Malta as much as the England national side do.

Year 8

In the first game against Tornado's FC, the year 8's had to adapt to the 30 degree heat in the afternoon. The team went into their very professional changing room with a TV, massage table, refreshments and fantastic showering facilities (shower gels and shampoo included). Mr de Souza gave them a motivational team talk explaining that this is maybe the only time in their lives they will get an opportunity to play on such great facilities in another country against foreign opposition.

The match was going to be played in 20 min thirds due to the hot weather, Elliot Darmon passed a late fitness test on his injured groin from the training session earlier that day and made the starting XI. It was a strong starting line up, with Ewan Ling debutising at right back and the team playing a new 4-2-3-1 formation. In the first 20 the team played some good football, passing the ball around midfield and strong in defence with captain for the game Fin Jackson playing at centre back. The third finished 0-0 with CHS getting into great positions but George Johnson, Josh Brindley and Elliot Darmon all very often getting caught offside by the Maltese teams high defensive line.

During the break Elliot's groin injury flared up and he had to come off for another debut for rugby convert Tomasz McNulty. Mr de Souza demanded his team stepped up their game and gave them a quick crash course on how to beat a high defensive line. He also shouted over to Mr Donnelly to get the year 11 team to cheer on the youngsters.

Almost immediately the crowd led by Brian Barton, Lewis Dunn, Sam Lynn and Sam Spooner were chanting the names of individual player and also Mr de Souza. This inspired an amazing 20 minutes for the year 8's with them scoring 6 goals. Including a couple of wonder strikes from Fin Noakes (who has sadly left CHS) and George Johnson.

The game finished 8-0. With 5 goals from George Johnson and the rest from Fin Noakes, Fin Jackson, and Josh Brindley. Man of the match was George Johnson, not only for his 5 goals but he also offered to be the linesman for the year 11 fixture where he overruled the Maltese referee on two occasions.

In the second game, against the Maltese capital side Valletta FC. The year 8's were up first out of the three teams. Mr de Souza stuck to his 4-2-3-1 tactic with centre back Ali Abbid captaining the side. The team again did not score in the first 20 minutes as they weighed up their opposition. Fin Jackson was moved into midfield which made a massive impact. The Byram twins worked superbly in defensive midfield, putting out any danger that came their way, it was like they knew each other’s game inside out! Sam Beech also had a great tour making some fantastic tackles from centre back especially as it was his first two games for CHS. The game finished 7-1 with hat-tricks from George Johnson and his Hanson lookalike Fin Jackson and a poacher’s goal from Josh Brindley. They went back to the changing room to a massive LOVE IT sing song before going out to cheer on the other older teams.

The tour was an amazing success for the year 8's especially as it was the first time away from their parents or carers. There were some fantastic individual displays from the boys with Josh Robertson only conceding one goal on the tour and making lots of amazing saves. Rory Hughes made some strong tackles from left back, Ewan Ling had a superb game against Valletta FC pushing for a starting place in the school team. Overall the boys have grown up and matured over the space of the week, they have made some new lifelong friends and represented the school with pride.

Year 9/10

The year 9/10 won their first game 1-0 but could have easily have been many more. The goal came through super sub Joe Allen and Morgan Buckley put in a man of the match performance. 

Their second match saw them narrowly lose 4-3, in a very tight game. Morgan Bratt scored a brace CHS were then knocking on the door for another goal and it was George Archer who gave CHS their third goal with a header. Unfortunately, Morgan Buckley took one for the team and broke his collar bone late on in the game. 

Year 11

Year 11’s first game kicked off at 8pm which meant it was cooler and bearable playing conditions compared to their second match starting in the midday sun. The game felt like a European fixture and Year 11 came out victors.

Their second game kicked off at 12:45pm which meant that the conditions were rather challenging. Year 11 battled on through the early afternoon rays and led 3-1 going into the final quarter. This raised a few eyebrow’s considering their opposition was a professional football academy. As the heat and sun started to take a toll CHS became weary which is understandable in the conditions. CHS changed to a 4-5-1 formation to try and boss the midfield but despite still working hard and giving it their all they could not hold onto their lead and in the end unfortunately lost.

Written by Adam Bailey. Courtesy of Mr de Souza, Mr French and Brian Barton.