Soham Grammarians - Football, School Year 1964-65

1st XI photo

Soham Grammarian Summer 1965

FOOTBALL NOTES, 1964-65

A quick glance around the first assembly of the Autumn Term was enough to show that a whole gamut of soccer talent had returned from last year, and that the problem was not one of who to put in but who to leave out.

We received an early setback when Cullum informed us of a knee injury sustained during the holidays, an injury which kept him out of the First XI for the whole of the season, although he was able to sail on the more quiet waters of the Second XI for the whole of the pre-Christmas programme.

The forward line, despite scoring a glut of goals, did not at first really move smoothly. Many positional changes were made to find a striker centre forward. At length we settled on Fretwell, who was served by Newell and Chapman or Sargent in the inside forward positions. Lemmon and Youngs, and when required Peachey, gave us good service on the wings.

This forward line was most ably supported by as formidable a half back trio as we have had for some time. Chapman, Rosbrook and Butt were the key to our success. Chapman, always a strong tackler, more often than not was able to find enough wind to become a third inside forward without neglecting his duties as wing half. In most of the matches, Rosbrook commanded the centre of the field, covering well, and seldom wasting a chance to start off an attack, while Sargent - a ninety minute player if ever there was one - played as doggedly as ever at half back or inside forward. Old Colour Butcher and newcomer Burton both played soundly at half back and Porter, apart from one "off" game, gave us good service in goal.

For the record, fifteen matches were played: eleven were won, three drawn and one lost. Two excellent matches were played against Newport (who must be congratulated on winning the Public Schools Plate), both of which were drawn, and our congratulations go to Orton Longueville, who beat us at home.

Two highlights stand out as far as the team goes: the commanding leadership of Chapman as captain, and the artistry of Newell as inside forward.

The Second XI played nine matches and won them all and so did the Under 15's, winning the Fordham Trophy in the Spring Term.

The Under 14's under the guidance of Mr. Bozeat also played nine games and won them all. This is the second consecutive year that the Under 14's have kept their unbeaten record.

But there were many who did not play, linesmen and referees alike, and to them once again go our grateful thanks; they have a fair share in any success that came our way.

RAT


The Fordham Cup

This year was the first time the School had entered for the Cambridgeshire Schools Cup for many years. From the first match, in which the Under 15's beat Comberton 13-0, the School was tipped for the Cup.

In the second match against Soham Village College, the Under 15's continued their scoring spree by winning 11-1. The School's next opponents were Burwell and this time the School had a hard match for the first half, but in the second half the goals mounted up until Burwell were beaten 7-1. The next match against Bottisham followed the same pattern as against Burwell with the School finally winning 12-1.

Linton led this section (the Southern Area) until they met the School where, in a blinding blizzard, they were beaten 7-3. The match before the final was against Sawston who were well beaten by the School 8-0.

The Final was played at Bottisham on March 24th against the Northern area champions, Impington. The School started badly and were soon one down. Impington kept the School's goal under constant bombardment for the first half and for 20 minutes of the second until the School began to show its stamina and determination with Kennedy scoring 2 goals in the last 10 minutes to clinch victory for the School. The winning of the Cup ended a fine season for the School in which they had not been beaten.

DF NEATE, 4A


First XI Results

v. Newmarket Grammar School (A) - won 6-2
v. March Grammar School (H) - won 5-2
v. Wisbech Grammar School (A) - won 7-2
v. Huntingdon Grammar School (A) - won 5-2
v. Thetford Grammar School (H) - won 5-2
v. Newport Grammar School (A) - drawn 2-2
v. King Edward VI Grammar School, Bury (A) - won 6-2
v. Huntingdon Grammar School (H) - drawn 2-2
v. Saffron Walden Friends' School (A) - won 7-0
v. Newport Grammar School (H) - drawn 1-1
v. King Edward VI Grammar School, Bury (H) - won 7-1
v. March Grammar School (A) - won 1-0
v. Newmarket Grammar School (H) - won 4-1
v. Thetford Grammar School (A) - won 5-0
v. Saffron Walden Friends' School (H) - won 6-0
v. Old Boys (H) - won 8-1
v. Orton Longueville Grammar School (H) - lost 2-3
v. Downing College (A) - lost 2-4
v. University Falcons (H) - lost 1-4


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last update 2 Dec 2007