North Leverton take the national title at Wembley
NORTH Leverton completed the fairytale last Saturday when they defeated the British School of Gloucestershire 2-1 in the final of the English Schools seven-a-side tournament at Wembley.
In doing so, the boys earned the title of National Champions.
The four qualifying schools met on Friday at the suberb facilities of Watford FC’s training ground to play a round robin series of games to decide who would play in the final at Wembley, and who would play for third and fourth places.
In their first game against the Northern Champions, Pleasant Street of Liverpool, Leverton took an early lead when Toby Sims won possession, made a brilliant run down the right wing and crossed for the ever-alert Owen Gamble to convert.
The rest of the game was shared territorially with the Leverton goalkeeper, Mark Hazel, having to make two excellent saves, while Matthew Baddiley marshalled the defence to give Leverton the win.
A second win against South of England champions St Paul’s, of Swanley in Kent, was an easier affair, and Connor Paine, Owen Gamble and Toby Sims were all on target in a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Other results showed that both Leverton and their third opponents, the British School, were already assured of a final place, making the match a dead rubber, but allowing substitutes Oliver Sims, Themi Bacon and Carl Whittaker to take part.
The final result of 1-0 to the British School was unimportant in terms of the championship but served as a useful wake-up call for the Leverton boys and an opportunity to assess their final opponents.
And on Saturday on the Wembley Stadium turf it was a different story completely. With captain Toby Sims dominating the midfield and Tyler Wilson, Daniel Smalley and Connor Payne working tirelessly, Leverton ended the first half with a one-goal lead when Owen Gamble finished off a slick move involving Connor Paine and Toby Sims.
After the interval, the British School took advantage of their one clear opportunity to equalise and the game seemed to heading for a draw and a shared title.
However, with only two minutes remaining, an inch perfect through ball from Toby Sims saw Owen Gamble outpace the opposition defence, draw the goalkeeper and slip the ball in off the post.
The trophy denoting that North Leverton were National Champions was presented to Toby Sims and brought to an end a campaign that started last November.
The win was a credit to the hard work of a talented set of boys and gave manager Jack Tarr the distinction of taking two different schools to the national title.
After the match, Mr Tarr said: “Obviously I feel good about it all. Proud is the keyword – but it was all for the players and the school – not for me.”
“I’m proud to have led two teams to the title – and it helps your credibility! I think it’s a first for the ESFA.”
“I would also like to mention Anne Mason who has supported us for years, watching every match, recording every goal and result, washing the kit and helping out with the boys.”
“Above all, it was reward to headmaster Kevin Bacon for the enthusiasm he has put into the school to create such a successful sporting culture.”
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Weather for Gainsborough
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
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Wind direction: South west
