From top left: Mr Brotherton, Zach Figueira,Yomi Ajibola, Ayush Patel, Jack Sharpe, Georgy Mina (C), Ayodeji Elerewe, Niam Patel, Ryan Saunders and finally, bottom right – Michael Ifalore.

On Monday 28th April, the Cumnor House Under 11 Football squad took part in the ISFA National Finals at St George's Park, Burton Upon Trent. The brand new state of the art training complex set in 330 acres of land provided the ideal facility for the best 18 footballing Preparatory Schools in the country. The boys had previously qualified by winning the Surrey and Hampshire regional championships to progress to this stage of the tournament.

Three groups with six teams per group battled it out for a place in the knockout stages. Cumnor recorded three wins and two draws resulting in a second place finish in the group phase to advance to the quarter-finals. In a closely contested quarter-final which finished 1-1 against a skilful Westbrook Hay side, Cumnor House School held its nerve to win on penalties (5-4). The semi-final saw another fiercely contested encounter with the scoreline at full time 1-1. Cumnor again prevailed 6-5 on penalties after another round of clinically taken spot kicks.

In the Final, Cumnor House School met a well organised Bury Grammar School from Bolton. By the second half, Cumnor looked the stronger of the two teams but that elusive goal never came and, like the previous two knock-out matches, penalties would decide who would became the National U11 Football Champions 2014. On this occasion a good save from the Bury keeper deep into sudden death and Cumnor's first penalty miss of the day resulted in having to settle for the runners-up position. The boys, though, should be commended for their excellent football combined with sheer grit and determination when needed.