Ayden Duffy, Teacher of Physical Education and Joint Head of Extended Curriculum,  organised a football match on 30th August 2017 between new, current and past Hills Road students!

Here is his match report and final score:

The new look Hills Road football team lined up with a selection of 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd team players carrying on from last season as well as a group of lads coming into the team as new Year 12’s after impressive performances in their trials.  Their opponents, the ‘Old Boys’, were a group of past Hills Road student footballers, ranging from last year’s leavers to some who played up to 8 years ago!

Old Boys came out of the blocks incredibly quickly, eager to impress their previous coach Mr. Mosely and almost scored in the first few minutes as a goal mouth scramble from a corner led to Old Boys hitting the crossbar and having a shot cleared off the line.  Old Boys soon made the most of their early pressure scoring two goals in quick succession with the striker and winger both converting well from about 6 yards out.

Hills Road found it difficult to get into the game in the early stages as they were just getting used to a new formation as well as getting a feel for how each individual plays.  Hills Road clearly intended to pass the ball around as much as possible, however the intense pressing and physicality of the Old Boys made this very tricky. Old Boys continued to contradict their team name by playing at a good speed and intensity throughout the half and scored two more goals in the process.

Mr. Duffy soon realised that the style of football Hills Road were playing wasn’t proving very successful and so urged the team to utilise their pace on the wings and up front.  The first ball over the top that Hills Road played saw Dom Brophy play striker Harry Farrow through on goal and he finished well with a perfectly weighted chip over the keeper from just inside 18 yards.  Despite being 4 – 1 down Hills Road finished the half looking a lot stronger and had finally found their feet in the game.

Hlaf Time Score:       Old Boys         4          -           1          Hills Road

The second half began and the game seemed a lot more closed with both teams cancelling each other out and limiting chances until about the 75^th minute.  At this point Old Boys showed they still had the legs scoring a late shot from distance, just slipping under the goalkeeper in the wet conditions and then scrambling the ball over the line as a result of an indirect free kick from 6 yards out.

The better team won on the day and Hills will certainly be looking to improve for their first game of the season in a few weeks time.

Final Score:       Old Boys          6          -           1          Hills Road

See our 'Events' section for more information about upcoming events with Hills Road Alumni Sports teams! Become involved with the games or come along to support fellow alumni.