Bury Grammar School U13A vs. Westholme School.

A rare away day for our Year 8 boys as we travelled over to Blackburn for an early kick-off.

We settled quickly and moved the ball really well in the final third. In the 3rd minute we took the lead. Following great skill and speed down the right wing by Henry Cooper, the ball was played back in to Jack Baldwin’s feet at the edge of the box. Centrally, and from around 20 yards, Jack curled a powerful drive across the keeper into the top corner. Fantastic start.

Confidence grew, momentum was building, and our desire to score goals was very evident. Jack scored again moments later. This time following a fantastic assist from Finn Gallagher Holt.

Finn was causing footballing havoc for our opponents as he twisted and turned and beat defender after defender at will. Following another mazy run, Finn unleashed a rocket from 25 yards which flew across the goal into the far side of the net. 3-0.

We had many wow moments during the first half, but in my opinion, our fourth goal was truly spectacular. One minute until the half time whistle, defending a corner in which Westholme were trying to get a foothold back in the game, we turned defence in to attack. The cross came in, Lewis Chingwaro brought the ball down with so much composure, head and eyes instantly up, he played an accurate pass into Henry Coopers feet. Henry looked up and delivered a pinpoint 40-yard pass towards the sprinting Jack Baldwin. Jack faked the shot, cut inside two defenders and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. From defending a corner to the back of our opponent’s net in around 9 seconds. 4-0. Half time.

With so many positives from the first half, and with the temperature rising, it was no surprise that our work rate and intensity dropped slightly.

Westholme scored via a corner, 4-1, before we quickly extended our lead through the clinical Henry Cooper.

Seb Tebano worked tirelessly all game as he led the line, forcing multiple turnovers in possession and holding the ball up and linking the play superbly well. Seb got his rewards near the end as two Lewis Chingwaro shots were saved in quick succession before Seb dispatched the rebound into the back of the net for 6-1.

Westholme scored again late on.

A great game. A lot of quality individual and team moments on display. The boys are eagerly looking forward to their next game.