Oakmeeds’ Mid Sussex Schools Cup victory

Oakmeeds made a tremendous start carving out several chances in the first few minutes, one of which Charlie Broad calmly converted to make it 1-0. Midway through the half Jack Smith won a penalty after some tenacious and determined play. The normally sure footed George Mercer steped up but unfortunately put the ball over the bar, an opportunity spurned. Slowly but surely Downlands were getting back into the game, albeit without ever really troubling Joe Ridley in goal.

The second half started at a frenetic pace. Charlie Broad had a shot that hit the bar and then within a minute Downlands scored at the other end 1-1. Within a minute of the re-start Charlie Broad tried a speculative shot that squirmed under the Downlands keeper 2-1. Downlands response was immediate and they too had a long range shot that beat the keeper 2-2 - the crowd (100+) were going nuts!

With the game level the Oakmeeds team had to find ‘another level’. Joe Smith was doing a great job in the middle of the park trying to string things together and Marshal Smith was always a threat down the right hand side, but it was Charlie Broad again that popped up in the right place and finished his scoring chance with aplomb to make the score 3-2. With 15 minutes remaining the Oakmeeds defence had to withstand numerous Downlands attacks, but the defence marshalled by Captain Ben Hicks could not be beaten. It was Oakmeeds that scored again with Charlie Broad notching his 4th goal in a virtuoso performance to seal the victory 4-2.

Mr Vincent, Head of PE at Oakmeeds, was reluctant to pick a man-of-the match as he said all the boys were fantastic and a credit to the school.

The victorious team were: Josh Akturk, Cameron Bates, Tommy Bowles, Martyn Box, Charlie Broad, Oliver Bryant, George Coleman-Titterton, Hamish Gartrell, Ben Hicks (Captain), George Mercer, Sam Philmore, Joe Ridley, Jack Smith, Joe Smith, Marshall Smith.