Strand School Footballers Become Premier League Stars
Win final against the odds in Gunnersbury Park tournament
The triumphant team from Strand on the Green Junior School
March 8, 2024
A team of footballers from Strand on the Green Junior School were the winners of a cross-borough tournament last Thursday (29 February) winning the opportunity to play at a Premier League stadium.
The group from Years 5 and 6 were representing the borough of Hounslow having made it through to the finals of a competition last term.
They were taking part in the Premier League Primary Stars Championships at Gunnersbury Park against five other schools from across Hillingdon and Richmond.
Out of the six schools, Strand ended up in second position from the group stages after scoring 9 goals in total - winning three, against St. Mary’s Hampton, Chase Bridge and East Sheen, drawing against Heathfield Juniors and only losing against Oak Hill Academy of Feltham. In the knockout stage Strand faced and defeated Chase Bridge for the second time, ending on a score of 3-0, taking the team into the final.
Their opponents in the final were Oak Hill who had, not only previously beaten them in the group stages, but in the borough final as well with the score being 3-1 both times.
With Oak Hill being the clear favourites, Strand were determined to change the outcome of this final. The decided to change our formation and tactics from possession-based to counter attacking football. The team fully understood the task and Ranveer opened the scoring within the first five minutes.
The next five minutes was all about hanging on for the win, with an amazing defensive display from Supo, Zubeyr, Charlie and Jake. In the final minute Oliver decided against holding the ball in the corner and cut inside to seal a 2-0 victory. There was complete elation when the whistle was blown, and not just on the pitch. Back at school, both children and staff were buzzing as the news quickly spread.
Out of hundreds of schools, Strand can now look forward to playing at a Premier League stadium in the summer term, representing Brentford against 19 schools representing the other Premier League teams across the country. The school sees this as both a massive honour and a great achievement - the PE team and everyone at Strand are all so proud of the team.
A huge well done to Zubeyr, Sebastian, Supo, Jake, Charlie, Oliver, James and Ranveer.
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