The year 8 Football team travelled to a fresh and breezy east Dorset for their 1st round fixture of the PEDSSA Cup on Thursday afternoon.
Eager to put the disappointment of consecutive 1st round exits in their last two cup runs behind them, Magna started quickly and found themselves 1-0 up within the first five minutes, Noah B with a smart finish into the top corner from close range. Skipper James H then made it 2 in as many minutes later, scoring his first ever goal for Magna and claiming the goal of the day with a ferocious leap and header from an excellent Noah B corner. Magna would go on to make it 3-0 at the 10 minute mark, striker Harley R once again finding himself in exactly the right place at exactly the right time following a goal-line scramble, poking home from a couple of yards out. The next 10-15 minutes suddenly got a lot more competitive, with some slight complacency creeping into Magna’s play seeing them concede a goal from a very well-struck free kick, and with it their dominance of the game. 3-1 at half time and time to refocus and go again.
The second half saw Magna really assert their authority. Right winger Noah B helped himself to 2 early second half goals to seal his hat-trick, his second in Magna colours. Midfielders Ben H and Olie V completed the performance with some excellent close range finishes deep into the second half to help Magna secure a 7-1 victory and safe passage into the second round.
Coach Neil and I have plenty of food for thought going into the next round, as substitutes Lucas A, Olie V and debutant Mason W all impressed off the bench in the second half. The man of the match went to captain James H, who put in a ‘Rolls-Royce’ of a performance at the back, performing multiple goal-saving tackles, leading by example with his attitude and leadership as well as claiming his first ever Magna Academy goal. Noah B was a very close second after scoring 3 and assisting 1. Well done lads, let’s bring that second half performance into the second round of the cup!
Mr Ginger and Coach Neil