Football Review

Football Development pays off

The school enjoyed another excellent football season last term, the highlight of which was an incredible 1st XI Cup run which took the School into the last 16 of the Independent Schools Cup for the first time in nine years.

 

The 1st XI was a particularly young side this season, with seven fifth formers and only two upper sixth formers regularly starting. Victories at home to Hampton and Collyers (both unbeaten up until then) and an excellent 3-0 victory at Westminster were among a number of excellent performances from the young side.

 

KES prides itself on its passing, patient and attractive play which earned plaudits throughout the season. The emphasise on developing players, rather than solely results, helps ensure our pupils reach their footballing potential and can continue to play football at a high level after leaving KES. This emphasis on developing and improving players was rewarded when Andy became the second KES pupil in only three years to represent the Southern Independent Schools. Andy was selected for the Southern Under 16 team, and was unfortunate to miss out on the National team when he picked up an injury just before the trials.

 

In the ISFA Cup, an outstanding first round victory against King's College Wimbledon, one of the tournament favourites, sent the school into football fever. In front of a considerable crowd on Culmer, KES refused to lie down after King's College took the lead after only four minutes and KES deservedly got an equaliser just before half time. A goal for each team in the second half took the game to extra time. After sustained pressure KES eventually got their deserved winner. Playing Ibstock Place in the second round, the team had to show their mental toughness as they came from behind twice to gain an excellent 4-2 victory and reach the last 16. Drawn at home to Winchester, KES dominated the match but couldn't find the net and Winchester scored from a rare counter-attack to sneak a 1-0 win. Winchester have since reached the semi-finals of the competition. It was an excellent cup run which confirmed KES Witley as one of the top footballing schools in the South East.