- HOME
- ABOUT US
- SCHOOL LIFE
- POLICIES
- SIXTH FORM
- VACANCIES
- CONTACT US
On Sunday 17th May, they Year 9 Football team played in the West Ham United Lycra Mobile East London 6 A Side Competition having qualified previously as a result of finishing runners up in the borough round.
Coming up against the best Footballing schools in East London, Riverside had their work cut out to ensure they could walk away from the day with their heads held high, but in the end, events unfolded in far more dramatic circumstances.
Riverside started proceedings against Barking Abbey, the school who had beaten us in the Borough Final for this competition. After a cagey affair, the final result was 1-1 but a positive performance to generate confidence throughout the squad. Riverside followed up that result with two wins on the bounce, beating Heathcote and Palmer Academy 1-0 and 2-0 respectively. All of a sudden, Riverside had a real chance of qualifying for the semi finals! However after a short lunch break, the boys lost the next two games and drew the third meaning that they had to win their last two games to qualify. After a rousing team talk from captain Jay Bacon, the boys went out and beat Eastlee Community School 2-0 then pummelled Essex Cup Champions St Bonaventure’s 6-1!!!
After a long wait to determine who qualified for the semi-finals, the boys were jubilant to find out they were in the draw! Lining hop against Eastlee once again, Jay Bacon scored two superb goals early to put Riverside in command of the game but were pegged back to 2-2 before the final whistle blew. Penalties.Not Penalties again.
Eastlee…Goal. Riverside (Jay)….Goal!!! Eastlee…Goal. Riverside (Ayo)…Goal!!! Eastlee…SAVED by Ricky Barbosa. Riverside (Dane) for the victory…GOAAAAALLLL!!!! Riverside reach the finals!!!
Lining up against Langdon Academy, the lads were nervous but after a quick prayer to the Footballing Gods, they were ready to get their hands on the winning trophy. The game started slowly with both teams nervous but Riverside found a break through midway through via a deflected shot from Ayo finding the back of the net. Hold on Riverside! All players defended as if their lives depended upon it and after what seemed like an eternity, the best sound all day was heard. The final whistle. CHAMPIONS!
Well done to all who participated on the day and congratulations on this huge achievement.The first of what I am sure will be many pieces of silverware in the Riverside Football Trophy Cabinet!