The first week back to College saw pupils swap the rugby pitches for the football fields, and get stuck into the season with some tough matches. Both the 2nd XI and 3rd XI managed to start the term off with victories, winning 4-2 and 3-2 against Licensed Victuallers' Ascot, respectively. The players are looking forward to spending some time together, training and playing further matches to get more wins under their belts.

Football

1st XI 2-2 Licensed Victuallers’ Ascot

Mr Alex Duncan provides the following report from the very first match of the season, following the Christmas break, against LVS:

‘The first game of the season on the first day back after the Christmas holidays was always going to be tricky. Shiplake started well and dominated the first 10 minutes with three efforts on goal and some good wide play with pace a real threat. However, a poor clearance led to the hosts first shot on target - and a very good one it was, blasted into the bottom corner from the edge of the box from a good pull back. Shiplake heads did not drop though, and a continuation of the hustle, press and quick footwork continued. Unfortunately, another defensive mistake led to the second goal from LVS and suddenly Shiplake were 'up against it'. Callum Murray's pace and determination won a corner and Marcus Hillman's delivery landed plum on the skipper, Miles Bridgman's head and flew into the top of the goal. At half-time, the better team were still trailing but determined to get back into the game. Another Bridgman header from another pinpoint Hillman corner levelled the scores after 50 minutes. With the last twenty minutes seeing wave after wave of Shiplake attacks, the winner looked a certainty but it just was not our day. A draw was a decent result but the performance was positive and we look forward to Saturday's clash with Gordon's. Man of the Match - Chris Miller.’

1st XI 0-8 Gordon’s School

Mr Alex Duncan provides the following report from the 1st XI’s second match of the season, which took place on Saturday 7 January:

‘A very tough morning for Shiplake first XI, losing 8-0 to a very good Gordon's team. Whilst Shiplake were clearly second best, the 8-0 scoreline is very harsh and there were spells in the game where Shiplake were on top. A lot to learn from this defeat, which will ultimately allow us to improve. The opposition coach paid our boys a huge compliment at the end of the game, saying 'your boys never gave up and played the better football in the second half - if you did not know the score you would not have guessed it as they were competitive until the very end and very unlucky not to score'. The closest Shiplake came was a header against the crossbar from Miles Bridgman and a clear penalty not given when Callum Murray was fouled in the area. Overall, it was clear to see that the Gordon's team, who are in the quarter final of the national cup, have been playing for a term already and that this was just our second match. Strong performances from debutants Kerrison, Ruffle, Arbuckle and Monson and Man of the Match went to Elliot Whittingham.’

2nd XI 2-4 Gordon’s School

Seb Rivett provides the following report from a well-played first match for the 2nd XI:

‘On Saturday, the 2nd XI team travelled to Gordon’s School. After one win and a positive training session the team went into the game with confidence. Shiplake started with the downhill advantage, however we were not able to capitalise on this as in the first 10 minutes they crossed into box, which was not cleared, allowing their midfielder to volley it into the bottom right corner. We did not let this affect our game. Charlie Dodd made some great runs down the left gaining the vital territory needed to get us back into the game. These runs lead to multiple corners for Shiplake and yet despite the best efforts of top goal-scorer Kieran Leach, we were not able to get the ball into the back of the net. After one well defended corner kick, Gordon’s School booted the ball clear, giving them a platform for a counter attack. They took advantage by putting a low trajectory cross into ‘the corridor of uncertainty’ which was neatly put away by their striker. 2-0 after the first 25 minutes. Despite what the score-line would suggest, Shiplake were playing decent football. However, after a good save from Quin Wagner-Piggott, the ball rebounded straight to their attacker allowing him to pass the ball into the goal. Shiplake knew this half wasn’t over; five minutes before halftime we upped the intensity and began to put together quality passes eventually being rewarded with a corner. The cross was sent in and after a scrappy clearance from the Gordon’s defence, the ball rebounded off the most surprised writer of this piece and bobbled into the goal via the post. 3-1 at halftime.

At the break we decided that we should take more shots on goal. 2 minutes into the second half Ben Westbrook-Burr found himself in space outside the box and to the delight of Mr Ebun-Cole, his shot curled majestically into the top left corner of the goal. This gave Shiplake the boost they needed to get back into the game. We were now only one goal away from equalising.

The tireless defensive work from JJ Acton in the second half made life hard for the Gordons attackers. After a good run by Josh Towell down the right, the ball was put ‘into the mixer’ and Kieran Leach almost converted a diving header. With 15 minutes left Shiplake knew they were on the brink of an all-important equaliser, but Gordons were doing everything to resist. Against the run of play, our midfield was caught in possession, leading to a ball being played behind our defence and through to the Gordons striker who managed to caress it past our goalie thereby shattering our dreams of a last minute equaliser. The final score was 4-2 to Gordon’s School but despite all, this game shows real promise for the rest of the season, with some impressive individual performances.’