Monday 11th November saw the Year 11s compete in their first quarter-final match against Strood Academy. The game saw debuts for Josh B in goal along with three Year 10 students, Dan J, Will I and Aidan M.
Strood started the game strongly and put WUTC on the back foot from the offset. Strood scored early to take a 1-0 lead and despite a short spell where WUTC had some joy on the wing with Joe J, Strood soon doubled their lead with a tremendous finish from distance. WUTC found it difficult to get a foot-hold in the game and following sustained pressure Strood made it 3-0 following a scramble in the box. Despite Aidan M's best efforts with some fantastic last ditch blocks.
At half- time WUTC went in 5-0 down.
Despite the scoreline and following the half-time team talk, WUTC went out in the second half with a point to prove. They began to find some joy through Josh S working tirelessly on the wing and Montel M working the line up front. Dan J started to get more of the ball in the second half and put in a number of good deliveries into the box which lead to a number of half chances and some good saves from the Strood goalkeeper.
Against the run of play, Strood countered to score a well worked goal to make the scoreline 6-0. To our credit we continued to work hard in search for a goal and if it wasn't for the Stood goalkeeper pulling off a string of good saves, we would have got that deserved goal, if not two or three!
Whilst pushing for the goal Strood did look dangerous on the counter attack and WUTC had Josh B to thank for an unbelievable save and Tyler H for an even more impressive last ditch goal-line clearance.
The game finished 6-0 to Strood but all the players involved can be extremely proud of themselves for their performance in the second half and the resilience they showed. Special mention to Dan J (one of our Year 10 students) for his man of the match performance and Josh B who debuted in goal, who despite conceding six goals (all of which he could do nothing about), made an exceptional debut.
All the best to Strood in the next round.