Football - March 2004

Report by Rob Whittaker

Stoke Row travelled to FirTree School in Wallingford to play in the Morrell Shield. The Morrell Shield is a football competition for local and 'not so local' primary schools. Each team has to have a mix of year 4, 5 and 6. Our team was selected and we travelled by minibus to Fir Tree. A much bigger school than ours, Fir Tree had lots of people supporting and a few more players to select from.

The wind blew very hard and, with the wind blowing at our backs in the first half, Lyle Phillips came closest to scoring. Laura Tremewan, Louise Godfrey and Dougie Randall were magnificent in midfield with Tom Godfrey, Conor Foley and Sebastian Opalinski playing well together.

Charlie Habasinski and Robert Whittaker used their defensive experience well in the second half when Firtree had the benefit of the wind and Oliver Vizard kept everything secure in goal.

The final whistle meant a dreaded penalty competition but, with Ollie saving all three penalties and Will Jones coolly slotting his penalty away, Stoke Row moved into the next round with another away trip to South Moreton.

Team: R. Whittaker, W. Jones, C. Foley,
T. Godfrey, L. Tremewan, L. Godfrey,
O. Vizard, C. Habasinski, D. Randall,
L. Phillips, S. Opalinski.