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New Zealand Secondary Schools National Football Tournament

Match Reports

Friday vs Hutt International Boys School

A replay of Tuesday's match-up saw us take on Hutt in the presence of Headmaster Mr McIntyre. And the boys produced a first half display to remember. First to the ball, aggressive, mobile and fluid. It all came together to see us lead Hutt 2-0 at half time in easily our most complete performance of the year. The rampage continued very early into the second half with Nick Hay scoring his third in the opening minutes. However, the rampage soon abruptly abated. The second half saw us concede two soft goals to add a few grey hairs to Mr Wyatt's furrowed brow. Eventually, however, Nick Hay scored his fourth of the match to secure a 4-2 victory and propel himself to lead goal-scorer of the tournament with only a handful of other games to be completed.

Thursday vs St Peters (Auckland)

A carnival of football that will bring the crowds flocking back to the game. CBHS completely dominated and outplayed a disinterested St Peters. We scored after 52 seconds and proceeded to deliver a football lesson being 6-0 up at half time. Despite being a very young team, St Peters attempted to play a stylish short passing game that enabled us to close them down very quickly and dominate territory feeding off their mistakes.

The second half continued to provide goals galore with the final score ending up 10-3 with Jacob Fitzgerald-Kearns and Nick Hay scoring four each and suddenly appearing on the tournament golden boot table. The game ended with Mitch Hobson soaring like a leeming at the edge of a cliff to meet a cross and advancing goalkeeper simultaneously only to end up with the goal being disallowed, the keeper being carted off in an ambulance and the opposition running off the pitch to their idling vans.

Wednesday vs Hamilton Boys

Dirty rotten cheats. After being convincingly beaten by Hamilton Boys 1-5 they were disqualified on the Thursday for playing 17 players all week. We thought they looked fresh. To be fair Hamilton were a very good side and completely outplayed us for large periods of the game. Fielding 5 New Zealand representatives, they moved the ball and themselves very quickly.

Tuesday vs Hutt International Boys' School

This game gave us the opportunity to finish potentially, first, second, third or fourth in our pool. A sluggish start saw us 0-1 down at halftime. Despite creating some half chances the game cried out for one or other of the teams to take the game by the scruff of the neck, give it a good shake, smack it and win.

Alas, that wasn't us. After conceding a second goal by way of a penalty, we pulled one back through our own spot kick after Chris Moore was savagely cut down transversing the by-line and driving into the penalty area. Francis Morrison scored from the penalty spot. Despite beginning to show some dominance midway through the second half, we conceded a third goal on the break. Multiple changes to inject some fresh legs and enthusiasm failed to fire as our foes scored a fourth. Unfortunately the fourth goal condemned us to last place in our group despite being in contention to win it at the beginning of the day.

We now meet Hamilton Boys' in the next round.

Monday Morning vs Francis Douglas Memorial High School

After a tentative start the team gradually ground their way into the first match of the tournament. Led by Hamish Weld, the team was forced to defend stoutly against some skilful and mobile front men for Francis Douglas. However, the game turned in our favour after an excellent tackle by Jacob Fitzgerald-Kearns saw their best striker hobble from the pitch after 20 minutes. Shortly after CBHS was awarded a controversial penalty after what appeared to be a foul on an opposing defender was ignored by the referee who awarded us a penalty a split second later for handball. Francis Morrison (no relation to Francis Douglas) calmly stepped up and blazed the ball wide from the penalty spot. As we trudged disappointed back to halfway, the linesman signalled fro the penalty to be retaken after the keeper moved off his line too early. Francis (Morrison, not Douglas) showed his composure to slot the retake neatly into the corner for a 1-0 lead at half-time.

The second half saw us slowly control the game securing a second goal after a sweeping move that eventually freed Mitch Hobson with space on the right to calmly beat the advancing keeper. The game finished at 2-0 on the back of a solid defensive display. Harry Kim was the player of the match causing havoc in the opposition defence with some direct running and aggressive attacking play. For his troubles he received a black eye, corked thigh and week's supply of cuppa' noodles. Nick Hay also led the line well but was substituted after picking up a booking for cruelly winning the football off a centre back twice his size.

Monday Afternoon vs Westlake Boys' High School

An even first half saw little in the way of goalmouth action in a tight tussle at the top of the group (11Eng BMM- note the alliterative phrasing). Harry Kim, having recovered from the morning, again caused some problems with his pace while the midfield three of Francis Morrison, Jonty McMillan and Chris Moore competed well against a mobile and technically proficient opposition. Just before half-time a tentative clearance was met on the half-volley by a Westlake player which saw the football fly into the top corner of our net with a nasty concussion from being so well struck.

The second half saw the exertions of the day begin to take their toll. Westlake began to slowly take charge and, to be fair, dominated the second half with controlled possession. Our back four defended very well and contained the score to 0-1. Despite Westlake's dominance, Tom Fitall in goal was not called on often. Chris Braithwaite and Matt Parker came on in defence to replace a tiring Tom Hasson and Jacob Fitzgerald-Kearns, while Greg Moore and Stan Roper replaced Mitch Hobson and Nick Hay. Chris Braithwaite pulled off the tackle of the afternoon scything through a striker on the cusp of scoring from a squared back ball inside the six yard box.

All in all, a successful first day. As the only Christchurch team to gain any points today we are satisfied with our performance. Tomorrow sees us take on Hutt International Boys' School where a win should see us advance through the group stage.

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