King’s 1st Team Footballers are Crowned County Champions

King’s Worcester First Football Team became Under 18 County Champions last night after their triumphant win in a tight final against North Bromsgrove High School. In doing so, they became the first independent school ever to be county champions. 

King’s Worcester made a slow start, conceding a goal after a defensive mistake in only the fifth minute. Undeterred by this, the team applied greater pressure and took control of possession, creating several chances. This led to an equaliser for King’s when midfielder Donal C drove the ball home from close range on the 32-minute mark. King’s continued to be on top of the game and possession, but still went into the break with a 1-1 scoreline. 

King’s started the second half slowly once again and within two minutes of the restart conceded another sloppy goal to trail 2-1. They wrestled back control of the game, and this bore fruit when midfielder, George T equalised, again from close range. The hot playing conditions had an impact on rest of the 90 minutes, with the tempo of the game slowing and cramp affecting many of the players. Despite some chances being created by both teams, the full-time whistle blew with a stalemate of 2-2. 

The extra time of twenty minutes was once again shaped by the conditions, with the opponents being affected by cramp, and injuries took the contest to penalties; this was how the final would be decided. Going first, King’s were always in front, with successful penalties from Olly P, Zach M, Will M and two great saves from Olly S. The high-pressure finish saw Josh C win the final with the last successful penalty. 

This was an especially special win for our Upper Sixth students, for whom this game fell on their final afternoon at King’s.

Coach Andrew Holliday added, “This win has concluded a great season for the King’s Worcester First Team. Tonight was a tough game in unfamiliarly warm temperatures. The team can be proud of what they have achieved, even more because this trophy will now sit alongside the Challenge Cup after our triumphant game against local rivals RGS Worcester earlier in this season.”