Soham Grammarian Autumn 1953
SOCCER NOTES
We started the season with three convincing wins, but, having beaten March and the Friends' School at home 8-0 and 6-0 respectively, we suffered reverses at their hands away, the score in each case being 4-1. Something had to be done; major changes had to be made; the second eleven were beating their opponents with ease and several of the team were knocking at the door of the 1st XI. By moving Bullman, the captain and centre-half of two years' standing, to inside-forward, more punch was added to the forward-line and the bringing in of Milne and Leonard in no way weakened the half-back line; indeed, although Fordham and Aspland were out for several games because of injuries, the reorganised team continued from success to success.
The crowning glory came when we defeated Newport for the first time by 5 goals to 2 after a very hard-fought game. Bullman, captaining the team for the second successive year, has proved his worth not only as a player but as a leader, and it was fitting that his team should be the first to beat Newport.
The Second Eleven have won all their matches and the Under Fourteen Eleven have won all except one - well done! It was unfortunate that both Under Thirteen games with St. Faith's, which we look forward to so much, had to be cancelled but we shall continue that struggle next year.
It is difficult to foretell the future, but if the talent we have at school improves as it should we can look forward to many successes with confidence.
RAT
SOCCER MATCHES
FIRST ELEVEN
Newmarket GS 2, School 3 (Burton 2, Scotting)
School 8 (Scotting 4, Burton, Guiver, Fordham, Pearson), March GS 0
Play started at a lively pace, March taking full advantage of the sun and slope and seeming to have the initiative in the early stages. Our defence stood firm, however, and home attacks were soon being launched. Scotting scored first following good work on the right, and Burton made it two shortly before half-time.
Half-time: School 2, March 0Guiver scored the third when the March goalkeeper only half-parried his shot, and Scotting quickly added a fourth goal. The March defence was now wilting under the constant man-to-man passing of the School forwards and half-backs, and Scotting completed his hat-trick by placing the ball wide of the goalkeeper after having beaten the centre-half. Fordham scored the sixth goal with a swerving shot which surprised the opposition, and by now the visitors' defence had crumbled badly before the sometimes brilliant combination of the School team. Pearson then scored a fine goal from a beautiful movement on the left. March's attack was reduced by now to spasmodic raids, but Perry was called upon to make two good saves, and Rouse kicked off the line when a goal seemed certain. The School defence was generally firm throughout, however, and with this backing the forwards were always dangerous. Scotting rounded off the scoring by coolly placing his fourth goal into the March net.
Newport GS 2, School 1 (Guiver)
In a tough, grim struggle, played under gruelling conditions, the quick-tackling Newport side and a difficult pitch never let the School settle down to play good football. The School took the lead after about fifteen minutes when a shot from Guiver eluded the home goalkeeper, but Newport fought back strongly and a defensive slip allowed them to level the scores. They took the lead shortly afterwards, and although the School forwards had their chances Newport still led by the odd goal at the interval.
Half-time: Newport 2, School 1The School showed much more fight in the second half and, although Newport had much of the play with the help of the slope, there were breakaways down the School right-wing from which it seemed the equaliser must come. Just before time Scotting had an easy chance, but shot straight at the goalkeeper. Fordham was outstanding in a School side which failed to repeat the excellent form of the previous week.
School 1 (Scotting), Ely KS 0
School 3 (Scotting 2, Pearson), Huntingdon 1
School 6 (Pearson 2, Scotting, Fordham, Guiver, 1 og), Saffron Walden FS 0
March GS 4, School 1 (Scotting)
Saffron Walden FS 4, School 1 (Bullman)
School 10 (Scotting 3, Bullman 3, Fordham 3, Guiver), Newmarket GS 0Ely KS 3, School 3 (Scotting, Guiver, Driver),
Kicking up the slope, the School played for the first fifteen minutes as though they would trounce Ely, but the only goal of the first phase was an opportunist effort by Scotting. The King's School now came more into the picture, and equalised following a corner. They took the lead just before half-time when Perry was unable to fist the ball clear, merely helping it into the top corner of the net.
Half-time: King's School 2, School 1Guiver levelled the scores after a very even period of play in the second half when he deflected the ball past the Ely goalkeeper in a goalmouth scramble. The School took the lead for the second time in the match when Driver was left unmarked to place the ball home for his first goal of the season. Ely staged a rally in the last few moments and snatched an equaliser after a movement on the right, Perry failing to gather the ball after having it within his reach.
School 4 (Bullman 2, Scotting, Cropley), Bury KE VIth l
The School side, fielding two reserves, quickly took up the initiative and the Bury goal was constantly threatened during the first half, Perry having no direct shot to save up to half-time. There were several near misses by the home forwards, two fine shots from Bullman and Guiver swerving just outside the post. The only goal of the period came after about twenty minutes when Scotting curled the ball gently into the corner of the net.
Half-time: School 1, Bury 0Bury fought back from the restart, and after several vigorous exchanges equalised from close range. Infused with new spirit the visitors launched further attacks and Perry brought off a smart save from a hard shot by the centre-forward. The School gradually restored their supremacy, however, and Bullman scored with a looping shot into the top of the net. The same player increased the lead from close range, and Cropley rounded off the scoring after winning a tackle with his full-back.
School 5 (Driver 2, Scotting, Fordham, Guiver), Newport GS 2
Kicking up the slope against the sun, the School secured an immediate lead when Scotting received the ball in the middle and lifted it over the goalkeeper's head for a shock goal. Newport, as always, fought back, but after a period of fairly even exchanges, during which Bullman's snap shooting brought some applause, Fordham caught the visitors' defence napping by going through on his own when a pass seemed likely, and by shooting into the corner of the net.Spirited play from both teams followed this, and after dangerous attacks by each set of forwards in turn, the School forced a corner on the left. Guiver placed the ball accurately in the goalmouth, and Driver ran forward, rose into the air like a bird, and nodded the ball beautifully past the Newport goalkeeper. The visiting side tried desperately to reduce the leeway, but Leonard was playing a superb game at centre-half, and the interval arrived with the score: School 3, Newport 0.
With their youthful supporters yelling encouragement, the School set up an early series of dangerous attacks. Newport then came more into the picture, bringing the home defence into action, but they received a further setback when, during a phase of School pressure, Driver snapped up the ball almost on the goal-line and banged it into the roof of the net from very close range.
Still fighting hard, Newport scored their first goal after a movement down the left, but the School restored their former lead when Guiver beat his full-back to the ball and shot a fifth goal via the post. The home half-backs were all playing well, tackling hard and pushing the ball through to their forwards, but following Leonard's only slip during the whole match, the Newport centre-forward scored his side's second goal. Both teams strove hard for further goals before the end, but none resulted, and a thrilling and hard-fought game finished in a deserved first-ever victory over Newport.
Bury KE VIth 3, School 6 (Driver 2, Milne, Guiver, Fordham, 1 og),
SECOND ELEVEN
School 5 (Hobbs 3, Sykes, Milne), March GS 2
Ely KS 1 , School 4 (Hobbs, South, Cropley, Sykes)
School 5 (Hobbs 3, Sykes, Cropley), Huntingdon GS 0
March G. 0, School 9 (Firby 3, Willett 2, Morley 2, South, Cropley)
School 3 (Hobbs, South, Burton), Ely KS 1UNDER 14 AND UNDER 15 ELEVENS
School 3 (Peers 2, Simper), March GS 5
Newport GS 1, School 6 (Simper 2, Holmes, Watson, Whitehead, McElhone)
School 6 (Meacham 2, Levitt, Fretwell, Cross, 1 og), Saffron Walden FS 0
March GS 2, School 7 (Peers 3, Jackson 3, Simper)
Saffron Walden FS 1, School 1 (Burton)
School 11 (Simper 4, Murfitt 2, Peers, Holmes, Levitt, McElhone, Moore), Bury KE VIth l
School 3 (Simper 2, Peers), Newport GS 2
School 7 (Cross 3, Burton 2, South, Peers), Shade School l
Bury KE VIth 0, School 9 (Peers 3, Simper 2, Fowler 2, McElhone, Bell)CAR
Soham Grammarian Spring 1954
No copy of this issue to hand - if you have one please contact the editor
If you can add recollections or photos to this page, please contact the editor
last update 22 Dec 2007