For the third time in four years, Bradfield’s 1XI football team will contest the Elgin Capital Southern Independent Schools League final having come through a stern test against Bede’s School to win 3-0 in the semi-final.
The boys qualified for the knockout round after topping the Northern league section of the competition for the fourth successive season, winning five and drawing one of their seven matches and scoring 25 goals in the process.
The First Team went into the game full of confidence having overcome Forest School 5-1 in their final league fixture and made a fast start in the overcast but dry conditions. Bradfield enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession in the game’s early stages, dominating the first ball and passing the ball smoothly through the midfield and out wide to create good openings.
Their dominance paid off when they took the lead on the half hour mark. The ball was worked quickly from the left flank, across the midfield to the right wing where Jack (H) cut inside, beating two defenders before finishing with the outside of his right foot to give Bradfield the advantage at half time.
Bede’s found a foothold in the game as they began the second half with renewed spirit, pressing higher up the pitch in search of an equaliser. After 20 minutes of gripping end-to-end action, Bradfield finally put the game to bed. The home side won a free kick a few yards outside the box and the ball was played short to Josh (F) on the left wing who charged into the box, shifted the ball onto his favoured left foot and found the far corner via a deflection with his low driven shot.
Five minutes later Bradfield had their third when Hodgkinson was taken down inside the box and Calum (C) stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to book Bradfield a place in next month’s final. They will play either Hampton or Royal Russell in the final on Wednesday 8 March at Banstead Athletic Football Ground.
