Winners: Under 16 Boys – Lucas Shield Winners

On Wednesday the 10th of May, the Year 11 football team were crowned Lucas Shield winners in the Preston Schools’ Football Association, Under 16 cup final at Deepdale.

After narrowly losing out in the final in Year 10, this team came back even stronger and held their nerve in a penalty shootout to win 4-3 on penalties after the score was tied 2-2 at full time.

This would be the final time the team would play together and many have been part of the team for the full 5 year term at Our Lady’s.  It was fitting that they play their last game at Deepdale stadium and secured a win in the Cup final, making many treasured memories.

The nerves from both teams were clear from the start but it was opponents Corpus Christi who took the lead after 5 minutes when a low strike from outside the penalty area found the bottom corner of the net.  Both sides had good chances with Toby Atherton and Harry Hargreaves going close to levelling the scores.  But it was Leighton Hewitt’s 25 yard wonder strike that had the fans out of their seats on the Tom Finney stand, watching the ball sail into the back of the net to make it 1-1.  This goal gave the side the encouragement to keep going forward and creating chances. When Oliver Thackeray was fouled inside the penalty area, up stepped Hewitt and confidently slotted the spot kick away to give Our Lady’s the lead 2-1.

Into the second half and the team kept up the pressure, creating more chances to extend our lead, but credit must be given to the Corpus Christi goalkeeper who made some tremendous saves to keep them in the game.  As the game continued, legs became tired and the defence were put under more and more pressure.  With only a few minutes left, Corpus Christi headed a goal from an excellent corner to make the score 2-2 and take the game to penalties.

Corpus Christi made 3 successful penalties from their 5 spot kicks and after Isaac Webster, Charlie Crook and Toby Atherton scored for Our Lady’s it was down to Harry Hargreaves to win it.  With confidence, he struck the ball hard and low into the bottom left corner to send the team into celebration.