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Friday, 04 March 2011
Bolton School's Under 15's finished runners up in the national
final of the Independent Schools Football Association Cup, staged
on Thursday 3rd March at Burton Albion FC's Pirelli
Stadium. Having moved serenely into the final with convincing
victories in their previous rounds, including a comfortable win
over Manchester Grammar School in the semi final, the boys failed
to overcome Whitgift School, Croydon, losing 4-0 in a final
featuring flowing and attractive football from both teams.
Having conceded just three goals on their way to the final,
Bolton were stunned to find themselves 2-0 down within the opening
five minutes. Yet they fought hard to establish a foothold in the
match, and increasingly pieced together progressive moves and
patterns of possession. Nevertheless, they were restricted in the
first half to a series of attempts from distance by the excellent
Whitgift unit and went into the half time break needing to score
the next goal.
Unfortunately for Bolton, having begun the second half well
Whitgift increased their lead and put further pressure on the
Bolton goal as the second half progressed. That Bolton held firm
and refused to buckle when lesser sides might have been overwhelmed
by Whitgift's incisive attacking play is to the great credit of the
Bolton players. A fourth Whitgift goal eventually arrived but
Bolton continued battling to the end and were perhaps a little
unlucky not to earn themselves a consolation goal.
In spite of the result, the Bolton players represented their
school, the north of England and the spirit of independent schools
football in the correct manner throughout. So too did the Bolton
supporters, who carried on singing their hearts out to the very end
and beyond. Bolton captain Sam Mercer said: "It was a fabulous
occasion in which to be involved and we were very proud to
represent Bolton School in such a prestigious occasion. It is
disappointing to lose but we have had a remarkably enjoyable and
successful season and on behalf of the squad I would like to thank
our coach, Mr Brace, for the time and effort he has given since
September."
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