The first PE department fixture of 2023 took place on Thursday afternoon. The year 11 football team travelled to North Bromsgrove School in R5 (last 64) of the national cup. 

Southam started brightly and passed the ball round neatly but couldn’t create any clear cut chances. North Bromsgrove took the lead on the counter attack with a near post shot finish the bottom corner in the 11th minute. 

Southam didn’t change their style of play and did create two very good chances for Harry that were very well saved by the opposition keeper. 

After 27 minutes Southam did equalise after good pressure the defence failed to clear allowing Archie to drive a strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards. 

1-1 at half time: 

The second half continued in the same fashion with Southam creating good chances that were saved. Jasper did well to keep out a free kick that was swirling in the wind before North Bromsgrove hit the crossbar from the resulting corner. Jasper did come to Southam rescue pulling off a wonderful save after Charlie made a crucial tackle as last man. 

Southam responded well and did have a goal disallowed when Fred was judged to be offside after a great through ball from Jasper W was latched onto by Harry who saw his effort saved and fall to Fred who was in an offside position. During the last minute of the game the ball fell kindly to Oli on the edge of the box who saw his strike cannon back off the crossbar and not fall to another player. 

1-1 at full time. 

Extra time was a tight affair with both teams doing their fair share of defending. Neither team could capitalise and the score remained the same.

Penalties: 

A lottery. 

Unfortunately, with North Bromsgrove taking first, Southam were beaten 5-3 on penalties and missed out on reaching the last 32 in the national cup.

I can’t explain how proud I am of the team and having coached them for 5 years, I am gutted for them to lose on penalties and reach the last 32. Each and every member of the team should be proud of their performance and how well they represented the school.

Well done lads, you’ve done yourselves, the school and myself proud. 

Mr Turton