Soham Grammar School Summer 1971
Soccer - First Eleven
This year's First XI were a talented side capable, on the day, of meeting any of their opposition on equal terms. Their record over the season, however, belies this statement. Indeed, at times, the team failed to rise to the occasion and there were several disappointing results.
The season opened well with a good victory at King's Lynn. Subsequent home defeats by Newmarket, Hinchingbrooke and Newport lowered the morale of the side, though a double over King Edward VI, Bury, and a home victory against Ramsey provided some leavening.
The second half of the season started well with a draw at Newmarket and a splendid draw at Kimbolton. Once again, however, the momentum was not maintained and a withering defeat at Ramsey in the Schools' FA Cup, followed by defeat at Thetford once again lowered the spirit of the side.
Apart from a dispirited performance at Impington, however, the season finished well with determined performances against the Falcons ("the best school team we have met this year") and Downing College and victories at home against March and Cambridgeshire High School. The final act of the season was perhaps the best - an excellent 2-1 victory at Cambridge over the City GS. in a match for the Lawrence Cup (presented by the Warden of the Village College, Mr AE Lawrence) [sic]. The School outplayed the opposition in most departments and thoroughly deserved the victory.
The experienced members of the side served them well, none better than King and Yeomans; and the new members, Simpson, Curtis and Scott, made positive contributions to the team. Cox again was leading goal scorer, one or two of his efforts being magnificent goals, notably one against Cambridgeshire High School.
R Brown was perhaps the most improved player in the side. Mention must, however, be made of S Murfitt, who provided strength and solidity at the heart of the defence. Without him (as at Ramsey) the defence was never quite the same.
RS Walker (Captain), B King (Vice-Captain) and SJ Yeomans received colours last year; new colours were awarded to RV Brown, SJ Brown, MJ Goodjohn and IE Cox. Of twenty-five matches, ten were won and twelve lost; forty-five goals were scored, and sixty conceded.
Second Eleven
A small nucleus of players provided the bulk of this year's Second XI. They were the keenest players the Second XI has had for several years - surviving, with good humour, incessant mini-cross-country runs during the course of a season. Selection, for once, became an easy task this season, players being willing and eager to play each Saturday. It was a pity, therefore, that their record over the season does not reflect either their efforts and willing approach or their ability. The basic reason for this was probably the failure of the forwards to take the many chances they created.
Outstanding players for the side were A Barrett (Captain), and Vice-Captain SFA Ayers (though below his best for part of the season with eye problems), Snell and Donald McFarlane. This is not to decry the performances of the rest, and it is worthy of mention that Gamble, for the second season, willingly filled the role of substitute and deservedly played in many of the games.
Of the twenty-five matches, nine were won and fifteen lost; and fifty-eight goals were scored, against seventy-nine.
Under-15 Eleven
This season was a sorry one for the Under-15 team. Determination was lacking rather than skill, though goals were rarer than fine gold. Injury and lack of co-operation combined to disturb the side considerably in the first half of the year and with the exception of two commendable draws against Village College sides, defeat followed defeat. The effect on morale was predictable: the team was beaten before matches began.
The second half of the season saw a more settled side and considerable improvement in play. Partly due to the withdrawal of Munro to the defence, goals against were restricted, yet our ability to score declined even further. At last against an Under-16 team from King's School, Ely, a victory was achieved by a single goal. Such was the effect on the team that two days later their best performance of the season saw the defeat of a Cambridgeshire High School side which had itself defeated many of the teams which had swamped us.
Several boys served the team well despite the difficulties. Munro was at times outstanding and set a good example as captain; Howchin, his deputy, was indefatigable; in goal Curtis played far better than the goals against might imply (we lent him twice to the Second XI); Leonard and Harper were the ablest of forwards while Yeo, Hill, Crow, Spencer, Hunter, Capes and Waller all rendered loyal service. The season proved to be a prolonged exercise in character training. Fortunately at the end honest effort was not entirely unrewarded.
Under-14 Eleven
This season proved to be a strange one for the Under-14 side who started the year with a bad home defeat at the hands of Wisbech. Various permutations of players were tried during the first term but the tally of defeats grew steadily until by the end of December it had reached seven. One thing for which the team could not be faulted was its team spirit, even though players must have been despairing of ever recording a victory.
It was in the Spring Term, however, that strange things started to happen. The first fixture in this term was away to an unbeaten Kimbolton side and we came home with a 3-2 victory. A bigger scalp fell the very next Saturday when on an appallingly wet Saturday the City Grammar School tasted defeat for the first time in three seasons by 1-0. (This reversed a 10-0 defeat last season.) Two further defeats were suffered and this brought the final match against Netherhall. They had already defeated our side in Cambridge and since our victory had had inflicted two defeats on the City Grammar side. But once again 'form book' was turned upside down and Soham emerged winners by 3-2.
The final record therefore reads three victories and nine defeats. During the season nineteen players were used and I feel it speaks volumes for the side's cheerfulness and spirit that never once did the team take the pitch short in number, and frequently thirteen or fourteen players were present for a match. With this many people involved it is difficult to pick out individuals, but one name that must be mentioned is that of R Pott who played in every match and led his side with determination.
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last update 1 Dec 2007