It was another busy week of sport last week, made even more enjoyable with the visit of a touring school from South Africa - Curro Durbanville! This meant that in addition to our usual block football fixtures, we saw a further six matches take place which included football, hockey, netball, rugby sevens, and even chess!
Football
Boys’ 1st XI vs Gordon's School
Going into the game, we had a talk about starting quickly and getting a foothold in the game early, however it was Gordon's who were very much on the front foot and scored first after just five minutes. Once the first goal went in, it took a few minutes for Shiplake to start gaining some composure and getting a foot of the ball. In the first half in spells, Shiplake were able to create some good chances using the inside channel well to create space for the third runner. Even more positively, from a defensive viewpoint, Gordon's chances were very much reduced to taking shots 25 yards out. The second half restarted, and it was Gordon's who grabbed the next goal in the game minutes into the second half. Following that, a lapse in concentration allowed Gordon's to grab their third with a good finish into the top corner. Despite the scoreline, Shiplake continued to try and play their football and for the next 10-15 minutes were very much dominant, creating several chances and really pinning Gordon's in their own half. Very much against the run of play, Gordon's scored a fourth. However, with 10 minutes left, there was still time for Shiplake to get back into the game and were rewarded with a lovely cut back and finish from A Mullens. The same pattern of play led to a quickfire second from A Hooker, however it was just too late to get back into the game.
Boys’ 2nd XI vs Gordon's School
In our final Saturday fixture, it ended up being a very dramatic contest that was even throughout the 80 minutes. Gordon’s made the better start to the game taking the lead early on and really dictating possession of the ball with some good saves from the Shiplake goalkeeper keeping the score at just 1-0. After an energised half-time talk, Shiplake came out for the second half a very different side - one that was full of energy and showed a real eagerness to want to get on the front foot. This Shiplake pressure was soon rewarded when F Fisher equalised with a powerful right footed strike with just one minute of the game remaining.
Boys’ 3rd XI vs Gordon's School
A good performance in what was a very even contest. The game started very slowly with both teams struggling to really get hold of the ball, however after a few great defensive blocks, Shiplake started to get their rhythm and took the lead just before half time with a beautifully curled shot into the top left corner. Shiplake then extended their lead soon after the break with a third coming soon after. Gordon's were able to grab a consolation goal at the end, but this was not enough to prevent Shiplake from winning the game.
Boys' 3rd XI vs LVS Ascot
The game started with both teams looking comfortable on the ball, however with little chances created until the ball eventually found its way in from the corner. This was soon followed by a super strike minutes later which saw Shiplake grasp all the momentum in the game. A third goal was added towards the end of the half which wrapped up what was a very convincing Shiplake win.
Boys’ 4th XI vs Halliford
An excellent game from the 4ths who managed to make the most of the chances they got against a good Halliford side in order to secure their position in the 3rd place playoff. Scoring was opened by E Chalfont with a headed poacher's goal, assisted by D Hale from a corner. Some more excellent goals were scored by Shiplake, especially by L Crerar who controlled an excellent long ball from CB T.Lane, and slotted it in the bottom corner for a very professional goal. Another excellent goal of note was K Marsh’s rather strange and fortunate goal after he attempted a cross into the box which somehow made its way straight into the opposition’s top corner. Overall, an excellent and professional Shiplake performance which we hope to continue into our playoff match - also against Halliford.
Man of the match goes to K Marsh for a great looking goal as well as pure dedication to the team which has been shown not just in this match, but throughout the whole season.
Boys' U15A vs Gordon's School
The U15A game proved to be a very even contest with the final score of 1-1 underpinning the contest with not much to choose between the two teams. Both teams showed real ambition to progress the ball forwards quickly and utilised the wide channels to create some attacking opportunities, with some crosses into the near post proving very difficult for Gordon's to defend. This is eventually how Shiplake made the breakthrough with a first-time delivery into the near post catching a delicate touch off the striker to make it 1-0. However, it was not long after that when Gordon's got the equaliser. This was how the game remained with both teams unable to create a real clear-cut opportunity to score.
Boys' U14A vs Gordon's School
Shiplake’s 14As finished the season in wonderful style with a comprehensive performance, clean sheet, and a 3-0 win at Gordon’s. Against a bigger and more physical opponent, Shiplake’s football did the talking, stringing together a number of moves in the first half. I Sahota in goal for the first half had little to do with the CB pairing of B Keown and G Hotston rock solid in the positioning, cover, and defence. H Sargent as ever pulled the strings in midfield alongside D Mellor and L Ellison. After 25 minutes, the pressure told. J Hughes competed brilliantly to win the ball back, which was then squared to H Sargent who smashed in his first time shot. A lead Shiplake thoroughly deserved. Gordon’s went up a gear at the beginning of the second half but again our defence held firm. L Currie and H Durkan covered well at full back. Keeper H Perkins showed composure with a clean sheet and quality distribution and J Hughes, I Roberts, and J Filippetto chased everything down and pressed with great commitment. In short, Shiplake wanted this more. Currie epitomised the fighting spirit with a wonderful Player of the Match performance at left back. As Gordon’s faded midway through the half, J Filippetto broke through on the left before cutting inside and smashing home our second. With breathing space and fresh legs on the bench, subs rotated. Shiplake were in complete control and dominated the last 10 minutes of the game with some lovely possession-based football. Wingers A Webb and T Steward enjoyed a lot of the ball down the flanks and with literally the last kick of the game, a superb through ball by H Sargent was latched onto by J Hughes - a sublime finish into the bottom corner wrapped up a superb and much deserved win.
Boys’ U14B vs Gordon's School
We started fast on the sloping pitch and dominated the first 10 minutes. Gordon’s keeper was called into action on several occasions and eventually the pressure paid off as Captain E Hills continued his prolific scoring run and put Shiplake ahead in the 15th minute. A Kimyani then came on for his debut and took over the gloves from E Morgan. He was immediately called into action and unfortunately couldn’t make the save after the Gordon’s striker broke free against the run of play to make it 1-1. Not to be deterred, the boys pushed on and J Prosser played a beautiful ball down the right-hand side which found S Harrison who beat his man before hitting a beautiful shot into the bottom right corner. The second half started, and the boys started slowly which allowed Gordon’s boys back into the game to make the score 2-2. With some encouragement now coming from our travelling fans, the boys picked up the pace and H Williams scored a lovely individual goal to take back the lead. This however only lasted a minute as another breakaway goal left the game evenly poised at 3-3. Our away fans made even more noise, and the boys responded and when Gordon’s keeper made a risky pass from the back, S Harrison latched onto the ball and despatched into the top corner. The boys now were in full flow and were in total control. Winning a corner with minutes left, E Hills took it and delivered the perfect cross where J Prosser rose above everyone else and powered his header in the corner to make it 5-3. Not satisfied with that, the boys kept going forward and from another corner, E Hills once again found J Prosser to make it 6-3. A wonderful game and an awesome performance from all the boys. It was lovely to finish with a win on what has been a very successful season for the boys.
Boys’ U13B vs Caldicott
Rather than play a 9-man fixture, O Laventure and L Askey volunteered to play for Caldicott as fullbacks. Their contributions kept this a level contest until half-time, with plenty of goal mouth action at both ends and crucial saves from an in-form T Burrow. Finally, Shiplake broke the deadlock from a well taken corner, only to get caught on the break just before half-time. O Laventure returned to the home side at half time, and this seemed to tip the balance in Shiplake's favour. The ever-reliable G Leach was fed plenty of good balls from E English around the box and found the net twice. F Greenway has been an impressive number 10 this season and scored from the edge of the box with a looping shot. T Morgan had been looking for a chance as the centre-forward all season and got his opportunity in the final stages of the match, eventually finding the net to the delight of the home fans.
Boys’ U12A vs Caldicott
A very balanced fixture that was decided by the smallest of margins. The Shiplake boys played really well at times and were able to score three well worked goals. However, it was just a few lapses in concentration that left Caldicott able to capitalise, and some clinical finishing saw them take the victory.
Boys’ U12B vs Caldicott
Throughout the season the U12B had battled hard, and this was no exception again today with a really determined and strong Shiplake performance. Unfortunately, we just lacked that bit of quality when it came to the final third leaving us end up being second best in this encounter. However, plenty of positives to take away with some outstanding defending on display throughout the contest.
Fixtures vs Curro Durbanville
On Thursday 20 March, we were delighted to welcome Curro Durbanville – a touring school from South Africa - for an afternoon of sport. In total, six matches took place which included football for our boys and girls, rugby sevens for our boys, hockey and netball for our girls, and even a chess match!
On the football pitch, there were wins for both Shiplake teams with the games being played in good spirits. The girls also won in their netball team while the hockey match was a 0-0 draw. And on the chess board, our team of O Taylor-Coombes, S Currie, H Hindley, S Vedhara, and N Wong performed admirably against vastly more experienced competition – some of whom were ranked internationally. Congratulations to N Wong who won his game.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable afternoon and wish Curro Durbanville all the best with the rest of their tour of the UK!
Flickr album: Sports Report 25 March 2025 |
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