Football Report – 1 February 2022

Results from recent fixtures are below.

1^st XI Highgate School Match 

On the pitch the match started at a frenetic pace with Dan Monferrer driving the team forward and peppering the Highgate goal with strikes. The Highgate goalkeeper was accomplished however and after playing since September Highgate crept back into the game, with very clever movement from their strikers. Blows were exchanged as Hyder Butt made two excellent saves to keep scores level while Ollie Powell went close for us. The defence of Saunders, Sinclair, Viviano and Taylor were resolute in this period. As the half went on St Paul’s recognised the threat from the Highgate strikers and Sasha Shevchuk and Zak Haralambous sat deeper, securing the middle of the park and preventing Highgate’s long balls from reaching the ground. St Paul’s established a control that would last for the rest of the match.

Five minutes into the second half Jake Sinclair timed his run to perfection and used his physicality to hold off the defender, planting his header into the top corner from Monferrer’s corner. Demol’s energy helped dominate the midfield. Nwoko went close to doubling the scoreline after a blitzkrieg team move. A goalkeeping masterclass from Highgate ensued as St Paul’s were repelled until a choreographed move saw Powell convert Monferrer’s cross for breathing space. As Highgate sent players forward space opened up in behind, first Powell was brought down through on goal, only for Monferrer to arrow the resulting freekick into the far corner, before Powell returned Monferrer’s earlier assist with a weaving run teeing up Monferrer for his second, adding some gloss to the scoreline.

A proud moment for Mr Warriner, Head of Football, as this is the first time in his tenure that the 1^st XI has reached the SOCS London and South Independent Schools’ Cup Semi-finals. A terrific achievement for this year’s 1^st XI and we look forward to the next round against any of St John’s, Royal Russell or Dulwich after half term.

St Paul’s 4 Highgate 0

Goals: Sinclair, Powell, Monferrer 2

Assists: Monferrer 2, Powell 2

MVPs: Monferrer, Sinclair

Abingdon Senior School Fixture

A first block fixture against Abingdon Senior School featured some competitive matches and games played in the right spirit by both schools. Great for the U16As to win their first game of the season on pitch 1. It was a good lesson for the 1st XI on managing difficult conditions away from home and handling sporting injustice and the importance of controlling a game when you have a lead. 2-0 up at half time. The 1st XI drew 2-2. Luca Viviano was superb at left back, and it was great to see Kelechi Nwoko score his first goal.

Results are listed below:

U18A    Draw: 2 – 2       

Goals: Shai, Nwoko

MVP(s): Luca Viviano

U18B    Won: 2 – 1                        

Goals: Petter, Johnston

MVP(s): Cameron Capper

U18C    Away Won: 2 – 1                        

U18D    Draw: 1 – 1                       

Goals: Jelassi

U16A    Won: 3 – 0                        

Goals: Gayner, Massi, Patel

MVP(s): Lorenzo Massi

U16B    Lost: 1 – 4                         

Goals: Gardey

U16C                   

U15A    Lost: 1 – 2                         

Goals: Leaver

MVP(s): Christopher Leaver

U15B    Draw: 1 – 1                       

Goals: Tim Hinkis

MVP(s): Ethan Howard