Stratford's football coach, the ever-inspiring Mr Ciarán Fadden, has put together a short'ish round-up of our progress to date (to mid-November) on the footballing field. There will be more matches now the exams are over!
A big thanks to everyone for their cooperation. As I now know the teams and players, I will be assuring that we only take players who are on the list and dedicated to the team.
In the first week of November we had three matches:
Although there were three defeats, we have moved on leaps and bounds from the first days of training!
Brendan Doorley became the first player to score under my management which was an extremely proud moment for the team and I.
Peter Allen-Smith became the first player to score a hat trick for our fantastic college and also the first player to score in two consecutive games.
Natan Yerushalmi today scored a free kick Ronaldo would of been proud of to give us a 1-0 lead! Our first lead this season.
Whatever the boys can do, the girls can do better, and first!! Kaydi O’Donnell O’Neill scored our first goal for the girls team and Strataford's first free kick which was a rocket into the bottom corner.
Apart from scores and results the main thing is the pupils are meeting me at the bus with a big smile and arriving to the school even happier with every game we play. The team spirit, comradery and general sense of togetherness amongst the teams and group as a whole has been something that has touched me personally and makes me even more determined to create, sustain and growth the football culture in this school.
Thanks for all the teachers for making this possible for the players.
Superb photos by Liam Fuller (2nd Year).
For the latest Stratford foottballing updates from 8th - 12th November, check out TY student, Luke Higgins' Powtoon posting - includes post-match player interviews!
Mr Ciarán Fadden
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