ESFA PLAYSTATION SCHOOLS' CUP- Round 4

Year 10 Boys and Under 15 Girls Progress in Style

The cup hopes of the school were left on the year 10 boys and the under 15 girls this week when they were the only two football teams from CHS still in the ESFA Playstation Schools’ Cup.

First it was the under 15 girls who went head-to-head with Wade Deacon High School on Monday afternoon. The girls have been outstanding in the previous rounds scoring 12 goals (10 of those in the last round against Urmston Grammar) whilst not conceding a single goal. This was going to be one of CHS’ toughest tests due to the game being played on a 3G surface something CHS weren’t used to. CHS went into the break leading 2-1 thanks to goals from Zoe Tweats and Lucy Wright. However, the CHS defence wouldn’t be recording a clean sheet for the first time in the cup. Lucy Wright then added her second goal of the game and Amy Rodgers then added Congleton’s fourth. The final score ended 4-2 to CHS which see’s them progress into the last 16 in the country. CHS sustained a few injuries in the match but I haven’t heard how serious they are and the team are hoping they will be back in time for the tie away at Mirfield Free Grammar School in the next round.

Tonight (Thursday 28^th November) the year 10 football team were hoping to keep their cup dream’s alive against Charlton School in the last 64 in the country. CHS produced a 5-star performance which saw them emphatic 5-0 victors. Morgan Bratt and Conor Docherty gave CHS a 2-0 lead at half time. Goals after the break from Marcus Chadwick and a brace from Matt Gilham, who returned to the side, sealed the 5-0 victory and a place in the last 32 in the country. They will now play at either Eckington School or Failbroome Academy with the prize a place nearer the final.

We wish both teams all the best ahead of those huge games.

Written by Adam Bailey

FOOTBALL- YEAR 10 (20th November)

Dominant Year 10 Progress After a Solid Win

This week sees a tough week for the year 10 football team, yesterday they needed penalties to progress in the national cup which has set up a tie against Charlton School on Friday with the prize a place in the last 32 in the country. Before this the side went head to head with Tytherington in the Cheshire Cup tonight (Wednesday 20^th November).

Mr Donnelly, who would win the award for the best dressed manager, looked very professional in his overcoat. Before the match he addressed the team and told them that the pressure was off them so “go out and enjoy yourselves, you have worked very hard. I know you must be tired and we have got a few niggles. This game is all about making sure we are in the best shape ready for Friday”.

The opening few minutes were encouraging with CHS releasing the ball from defence to attack quickly and effectively which the Tytherington defence couldn’t deal with. This created a chance for CHS but Tytherington’s goalkeeper beat Conor Docherty to the ball and moments later he claimed a header from Marcus.

At halftime, Mr Donnelly was left wondering how the score was still 0-0 with CHS having a number of chances to steal the lead. CHS looked very promising in the first half playing some nice and tidy football from defence to attack with the two central midfielders extremely effective.  

It wasn’t long after half-time, in fact only a minute, when Mr Donnelly saw his team deservedly lead, after Marcus’ initial shot was blocked by the keeper before Reece Carbutt was on hand to power home the rebound from 8 yards out and even if the keeper was near it, he would have had no chance of stopping it. 1-0 CHS. Only a few minutes later CHS were 2-0 up after a cleared corner fell to George Archer whose strike from outside the area flew through a group of legs in the box and although the keeper got his fingers to it he could not turn the ball around the post. 2-0 CHS. Tytherington pulled one back which only turned out to be a consolation. Asked whether Mr Donnelly felt any nerves at this point he replied “no”. Reece Carbutt soon restored CHS’ two goal lead with his second of the game with an unbelievable effort. From 25 yards his shot travelled like a rocket giving the Tytherington goalkeeper no chance. 3-1 CHS. CHS extended their lead further with a great individual goal from Conor Docherty. After picking up the ball from a CHS throw-in Docherty danced around the Tytherington defenders before cutting in and firing home over the goalkeeper from an acute angle. This goal concluded a solid win and performance by CHS’ year 10 who were dominant in every area of the pitch. Now their attention turns to Friday’s ESFA Playstation Schools’ Cup.

Written by Adam Bailey

 

FOOTBALL: ESFA PLAYSTATION SCHOOL'S CUP- ROUND 3

Girls and Year 10 CHS’ Only Cup Glory Hope

Over the last two weeks, CHS’ footballers have been battling it out in the ESFA Playstation Schools’ Cup. The teams were hoping that the hard work on the training ground in Malta would help them progress to the next round.

Year 10 are through to round 4 of the cup after a penalty shootout victory against Madley High School 5-4 after it finishing 2-2 after extra time. Going into the last penalty, Madley knew that if they scored it then they would put CHS into sudden death, who had already successfully converted all their penalties, but the Madley penalty taker was looking up to the sky as he saw his penalty float over the cross-bar, much to CHS’ delight. Year 10 now travel to Charlton School with the prize a place in the final 32 in the country.
 

CHS’ under 15 girls continued to show why they were crowned Premier League Champions in May when they performed outstandingly against Urmston Grammar in a remarkable 10-0 win away from home. An Amy Rodger’s brace and an Emma Nisbit goal plus an own goal saw CHS go into the break 4-0 up and even Jose Mourinho wouldn’t have been able to turn that deficit around. CHS cantered forward after the break which saw Paige Tingle score four plus a goal from Lucy Wright and another from Emma Nisbit. They just keep scoring for fun! CHS now travel to Wade Deacon High School in the last 32 in the country.

Year 11 narrowly lost to Canon Slade in the 3^rd round when they travelled to Bolton last Friday. CHS led 2-0 at half-time thanks to a goal from Max Berekley and a stunning strike from Captain Lewis Dunn, which Mr Cross described as a “worldee” and it certainly was from an acute angle from outside the box he curled it behind the Canon Slade goalkeeper. Whether it was a shot or a cross is another question! CHS had a number of chances to put the game beyond Canon Slade but couldn’t capitalise on a pitch which was awful to play on. Brian Barton missed a sitter when 1 on 1 with the keeper, when he put the ball wide of an open net. The game finished 3-2 which saw Mr Cross’ side bow out of the cup.  
 

The year 8’s travelled to Chorlton High School but Mr de Souza unfortunately saw his team lose 6-0 although the score line definitely didn’t reflect the game as CHS played well. However, Chorlton had some outstanding players at academy level who made a huge difference. Mr de Souza praised Finnley Jackson who was “superb in centre midfield”, but CHS could not match the strength Chorlton had all over the pitch. 

 

After a great start to high school football year 7 suffered their first major stumble last week when they lost 5-1 to Bishop Heber High School, which saw CHS knocked out of the cup.

Written by Adam Bailey

  

MR CROSS INTERVIEW- Tour of Malta, Year 11 and PE's Nomination

Mr Cross Interview

I was lucky enough to speak to Mr Cross, a member of the successful PE Department at CHS, about the recent Tour of Malta where he saw his year 11 football team win one and lose one. We also spoke about the year 11’s season so far and the PE departments nomination for a Cheshire East Sports Award.

Tour of Malta

Mr Cross managed the senior side, which he described as a “strong team”, on the recent Tour of Malta and saw his team get off to a great start with a victory in the opening match. He said that “it was nice to set the tour off with a nice foot in and it also gave the other teams especially the younger teams something to build on”.

Things looked even better half-way through the second half of the second match with the senior side 3-1 up against a professional football academy and asked if he was surprised he replied “when we were 3-1 up it was nothing short of something which would be seen in a school of excellence or a professional academy in this country. The football academy were tidy footballers and were a year older than the CHS senior side but Year 11 are made up of talented individual footballers and as a group are very strong with the attacking pair of Matt Gilham and Brian Barton” something which Mr Cross thinks will be “the strongest pairing that the senior side has seen for a very, very long time”. Some people would say that the heat was a factor in CHS eventually losing the match something which Mr Cross dismissed and he saw it as a “benefit” as it suited “the intensity in which the team play with”- something which is installed to every team in CHS. He said that a “lack of concentration” was the factor.  Adapting to the climate was a “challenge” but one which CHS “rose too” as although “the heat was difficult, the players kept themselves well hydrated and the sunny weather suited CHS which was one of the reasons why we chose Malta. “

Mr Cross said that the tour “galvanised” the team, which has shown in the improved performances since returning.

Year 11

Mr Cross only took charge of the year 11 side in September but just over two months into the job and he has made a lot of changes. Year 11 have changed from a “straight-forward 4-4-2 formation, relying on the impact players too heavily” to “playing players in the right position and being able to break down the opposition as well as going forward when we need to”. However, this has not been easy as Mr Cross has had a “headache” (and not just from noisy students) but a selection one with players having to “play out of position” due to their previous manager playing “a set way with set positions”. He is “immensely proud” of the students’ “willingness to adapt to a new style of play” and regards them as the “best footballers in their age group in the local area”.

Nomination For Cheshire Sports Award

Congleton High School’s PE department has been shortlisted as a finalist in the School of the Year category for the Cheshire East Sports Awards and Mr Cross is very proud to see something which he has been a part of and helped grow be nominated for the award. The PE department “work their socks off” (quite literally) and have a “shared vision” which Mr Cross describes as “infectious”. The hard work has paid off with the “girls football from last year going from strength to strength, boy’s football has improved” and rugby has seen a promising start with “one win from one game in two age groups”.

Written by Adam Bailey. With thanks to Mr Cross.

RUGBY WEEK 1- 13th November

Year 7’s Thrash Woodhouse in Opening Game

Tonight (13^th November) Congleton High School’s year 7’s played a rugby match against Woodhouse Middle School. Congleton started off with a strong start Harper Whitehead scoring the first try of the game by weaving through the opposition until he reached the try line. The Congleton team were dominating with their skilful running and passing. By the end of the first half Congleton were in the lead 6 tries to 0. The tries scored by Harper Whitehead, Tom Vale (the captain), Owen Lees, Michal Howell and Josh Clues.

In the second half Woodhouse stormed through the Congleton defence to score. A great display of organisation scored them their first try. As the game continued Congleton maintained their lead mostly due to their intense running skills and evasiveness; plus their ball handling and line play. Towards the end of the competitive game Woodhouse made a final attempt to penetrate Congleton’s defence but couldn’t make it to the line before the end of the game. The final score was 11 tries to 1. Well done to the whole team!!!           

Written by Tom Vale (Year 7 Captain)

Year 8 Also Win Comfortably

Although the year 8’s may not have won by as big a margin they also recorded a comfortable 17-5 win over Woodhouse with a great performance to match.

Written by Adam Bailey

PE DEPARTMENT NOMINATED FOR AWARD

PE Department Nominated for Award

I am delighted to announce that CHS’ PE department has been short listed as a finalist in the School of the Year category for the Cheshire East Sports Awards.

The PE department thoroughly deserve this nomination as I know first-hand that they work incredibly hard along with the students both on and off the court/pitch.

The hard work has been shown throughout the year and this was highlighted on the recent Tour of Malta together with an outstanding turnout in a range of sports over the past 12 months. All of the hard work has paid off as the department has seen an extremely successful year with silverware in most sports and a remarkable victory which saw the under 14 girls crowned Premier League Champions.

The PE department will be changing their sport kits and trainers for tuxedo’s and ball gowns when they attend the Cheshire East Sports Awards at Cranage Hall later this month.  

I hope to interview the PE department in the next week with their reaction to the nomination so keep checking the blog.

Written by Adam Bailey

ESFA PLAYSTATION SCHOOLS' CUP

ESFA Playstation Schools’ Cup

Last week and this week has seen CHS’ footballers battle it out in the ESFA Playstation Schools’ Cup. The teams were hoping that the hard work on the training ground in Malta would help them progress to the next round.

The year 8’s travelled to Chorlton High School but Mr de Souza unfortunately saw his team lose 6-0 although the score line definitely didn’t reflect the game as CHS played well. However, Chorlton had some outstanding players at academy level who made a huge difference. Mr de Souza praised Finley Jackson who was “superb in centre midfield”, but CHS could not match the strength Chorlton had all over the pitch. 

After a great start to high school football year 8 suffered their first major stumble last week when they lost 5-1 to Bishop Heber High School, which saw CHS knocked out of the cup.

However, CHS’ under 15 girls continued to show why they were crowned Premier League Champions in May when they performed outstandingly against Urmston Grammar in a remarkable 10-0 win away from home. An Amy Rodger’s brace and an Emma Nisbit goal plus an own goal saw CHS go into the break 4-0 up and even Jose Mourinho wouldn’t have been able to turn that deficit around. CHS cantered forward after the break which saw Paige Tingle score four plus a goal from Lucy Wright and another from Emma Nisbit. They just keep scoring for fun!

Year 10 are still to play Madeley High School, after beating Lymm High School 6-3 in the last round whilst year 11 will go head to head with Canon Slade on Friday, thanks to a penalty shootout win over St Monica’s in Bury. So good luck to those two teams and there will be match reports plus reaction from the games later this week.

Written by Adam Bailey