Box Hill Senior Football Reports – March 2023

1st XI – Mr Bhardwa

The Senior First Team were highly billed this season, with a handful of players coming highly recommended from Year 11, and a core group of players staying from the turnaround of the previous season. It’s usually a given that players bought together will automatically work as a team. Not always! However, I am pleased to say that after a couple of defeats at the start, there have been some fantastic matches this season from the team. Last minute victories at Sutton Grammar and C of L Freeman’s, a convincing victory against the Judd School, as well as a 10-0 demolition of Reigate Grammar, capped of with a double hat trick from our star striker, Yago RZ. However, the defeats cannot go un-noticed! Losing narrowly to Sutton Grammar in the return game, losing to a very good Tiffin’s side and City of London team in the IFSA cup despite taking the lead in both games early on. These character building experiences, including draws against a physical Bedales team (4-4) and a technically well drilled Hampton’s team (0-0), have made for an entertaining season!

There have been many stand out performers in this seasons team for a variety of reasons. Yago RZ is the teams stand out top scorer, with 25 goals. His skill, eye for goal and technical ability has been an absolutel joy to watch this season. Zac C, who started the season up there with Yago, sacrificed his attacking prowess to play in goal for the second half of the season, due to unavailability of our regular keeper. Zac has absolutely done the team proud with his commanding and assured performances in between the sticks, and he embodies the essence and spirit of putting the team first. Max D and Louie P have also plugged gaps in defence due to unfortunate and persistent injuries of team mates, and continue to lead this team with distinction. They have become more bullish, versatile and accomplished players as a result. So many of the players should be proud of what they have achieved this season (Liam W, Luca F, Minsoo K and Lennart Z in particular) for always being reliable, focused and coachable at all times. All teams need players like these, and it has been a pleasure to coach all the players involved with the first team this season. I wish the boys every success in the future, with what will be my last involvement with Senior Football at Box Hill School. Thank you to the parents who showed up to games, supported me in my coaching role, and most importantly, for cheering the boys on.

2nd XI – Mr Parker

At the conclusion of the last game of this long season, GT, the 2nd XI's captain, summed up this season with one word - unlucky. I think that would be the fairest assessment of the results this season. But the focus should not be solely on results. This is a squad that has developed significantly over the past 7 months. GT has established himself as a true leader in this team. He has been a rock at the back, complimented by the rest of his back 4, most notably FR and AS. GT despite wearing the captain's armband was not the only leader in the side and VG in midfield was a superb general in that area of the pitch, operating as an out and out box to box midfielder. DK as the lone CDM did an excellent job at shielding the back four and it certainly a part of the success of the defence this season. RO'S offered a real versatility and ended up playing in almost every position for the team during this season.

The 'unlucky' that GT referred to at the end of the season was the 2nd XI's difficulties in attack. Never quite able to get the goals needed to win the match, often due to some excellent goalkeeping from the opposition sides. Two 1-0 losses against Sutton Grammar and a 0-0 draw against Wilson's really highlighted this. These were games that were there for the taking but unfortunately, the 2nd XI was unable to finish these games off.

I have tried to cultivate a warrior like mentality to the squad, the ability to persevere and never give up is a quality that can be the difference in tight games and is something that the squad really began to demonstrate in the later stages of the season. Opening the season with 5-1,7-1 and 4-0 defeats, the 2nd XI would not lose a game by more than one goal for 4 months, include some very positive results in that time frame. For next season, it is a case of building on that foundation and making sure that not only the 2nd XI remains a tough side to beat but now also a team that can go and get a result against most sides.