Year 9 Football Match report

Sirius Academy North’s dream run in the Hull School’s Plate Final ended in heartbreak after conceding a last-gasp winner to St Mary’s College. Despite a valiant comeback from 2-0 down, the North boys fell short at the final hurdle.

Following a convincing 3-0 victory over Malet Lambert in the semi-final, North’s coach opted to rotate the squad, giving debuts to several players who had impressed in training. This disrupted the usual starting lineup, and the opening exchanges reflected that. Both teams struggled to break down each other’s defenses, with the first half ending scoreless.

The second half began similarly, but St. Mary’s took the lead midway through after a penalty decision went their way. A defensive lapse from North then allowed St. Mary’s to double their advantage.

With their backs against the wall, North dug deep and found a renewed sense of purpose. A change in formation injected fresh life into their attack, and they were awarded a penalty of their own. Brandon L coolly slotted the ball home to bring North back into the game.

North dominated possession in the final 15 minutes, their determination rewarded with an equalizer from John, who latched onto a through ball and bundled it past the goalkeeper.

Just when it seemed like the game was destined for penalties, disaster struck for North. In the dying seconds, a loose ball fell to a St. Mary’s attacker who fired a shot towards goal. The ball rebounded off the post, but St. Mary’s reacted quickest to bundle it home for a dramatic 3-2 victory.