Norton Hill’s Year 11 Football side are through to the last eight in the country in the Premier League Schools’ Cup and now face a trip to Brighton to play Dorothy Stringer in the Quarter-Finals.
A depleted side travelled to Gordano for their first round tie at the start of October. A hard working, committed performance saw the team win 4–2 to get their Cup adventure started.
With their second round opponents withdrawing, Norton Hill travelled to Millfield, where they secured an outstanding win to reach the last 32. Playing with the wind in the first half, strong attacking play saw Norton Hill make their mark on the game and take the early initiative thanks to a well worked goal from Connor.
Although Millfield threatened on the counter attack, Norton Hill continued to pass and move adroitly and Harrison deservedly put the away side 2–0 up, a score they held until half-time.
Playing against the elements in the second half, the boys continued to exploit space and still created chances, but were increasingly forced onto the back foot and eventually conceded half-way through the period. With ten minutes to go, a Millfield free kick from distance caught the wind and flew into the top corner. Norton Hill went close again in the final minutes, before a period of extra time saw the sides remain locked at 2–2.
In the ensuing penalty shoot-out, Norton Hill converted every penalty before, with the score at 9–8, Freddie saved Millfield’s ninth spot kick, to secure the win that the team’s play throughout so richly warranted.
The last 32 fixture saw the first home tie, as Thomas Hardye School, from Dorset, travelled to Midsomer Norton just before Christmas.
A high quality game contributed to equally by both sides was finely balanced at half-time, with Jed netting for the home side. Norton Hill then produced arguably their finest football of the season in the second half and their relentless pressure and movement resulted in three more goals from Harry, Harrison and Alfie respectively, as the game ended 4–1.
The quirks of the draw then saw a local derby against Wellsway, again at Norton Hill. Although not producing the same free flowing football as in previous rounds, a half time lead of 2–0 was defended to clinch a place in the Quarter-Finals. With 218 teams starting the competition, this is a significant achievement by the squad, which all at Norton Hill are very proud of.