Sports Report 24 February 2026

Just before half term, our football teams delivered a series of impressive performances. With determination, skill, and great spirit on display throughout, it proved to be a strong week for Shiplake Sport.

FOOTBALL

Boys U15B vs Crosfields School

In the first of two fixtures across consecutive days, the U15Bs produced an outstanding attacking display to sweep aside Crosfields with an emphatic 8–2 victory. R Mallet, Oli Gilbart‑Smith, Tonde Gaza and Rory Macdonald all slotted in seamlessly for their first games of the season, with Mallet contributing an assist. U Kocali was at the heart of everything early on, grabbing a goal and an assist for Harry Williams as the hosts raced into a two‑goal lead. Crosfields managed to pull one back, but Kocali’s second mazy run of the half restored the cushion before he again turned provider for another Harry Williams strike. Crosfields reduced the deficit again after half‑time, but from that point there was only one side in it. The U15Bs added four further goals to cap a ruthless second half, taking their remarkable tally to 31 goals in just five games. William Webb recorded his third assist of the season when he set up Harry Woodward for his first goal of the campaign. Captain Jonny Elston, returning from injury, was deployed up front rather than at centre‑back to cover for star striker Eddie Hills, who went off injured, and he duly helped himself to two goals. The team’s shape and organisation were impressive throughout, and selecting a man of the match proved difficult. Harry Williams worked tirelessly, contributing two goals and an assist, but the nod just goes to U Kocali for a superb all‑action display that yielded two goals and two assists.

Shiplake College 8 – 2 Crosfields School

U14A vs Maiden Erlegh School

A brilliant victory for the 14As this afternoon in miserable conditions against a very good Maiden Erlegh side. Coming off the back of two consecutive defeats, the boys were back to their best today with front‑foot football and aggressive pressing all over the pitch. C Goss opened the scoring with a bullet first‑half header from L Hathway’s delivery, before a fine finish from O Pollard in the second half made it 2–0. Maiden Erlegh pulled a late goal back, but we showed great spirit and fight to hang on for the win. Very proud of all the players today, particularly C Goss in midfield, M Brown in defence, L Moss in midfield and T Jackson in goal — all called up from the B team and fully justifying their inclusion with superb performances.

Shiplake College 2 – 1 Maiden Erlegh School

U14B vs Maiden Erlegh School

In a game of two halves, the U14Bs went 1–0 down in the first 10 minutes against a well‑organised team that kept Ollie Adcock at bay. Shiplake struggled to get close to goal early on, with interceptions and misplaced passes halting progress. Then the second half came — and so did the Shiplake rain. With several balls skidding off the already wet surface, the opposition defence missed a few through balls that saw Ollie and Aidan Gern-Gross both test the goalkeeper early on. Aidan eventually stepped up and managed to get one past the keeper from just outside the box, making it 1–1. Sadly, that’s how the game stayed, with both teams having equal chances to find a winner. As mentioned, it was a game of two halves: the second half was definitely Shiplake’s. Once the boys got their shape right and used the conditions to their advantage, they dominated — the equaliser was well deserved. The boys showed great determination and heart to fight back.

Shiplake College 1 – 1 Maiden Erlegh School

1st XI vs LVS Ascot

The 1st XI continued their winning streak with an emphatic first‑half display that saw Shiplake lead 4–0, with a Rory O’Boyle hat‑trick the standout moment. A lovely flowing move down the right ended with a Daniel Johnson-Greenwood cross, fired home with a venomous volley by Freddie McCalley. The second half was more even, with both teams able to retain possession and create opportunities. LVS Ascot pulled one back, but Shiplake responded quickly with a left‑footed finish from inside the box by Daniel Johnson-Greenwood. A good performance all round, with particular mention to Z Sanders and Angus Mullens, who were brilliant throughout.

Shiplake College 5 – 1 LVS Ascot

2nd XI vs Claire’s Court School

A different game for the 2nd XI this week, facing a physically strong opposition. Claire’s Court went into the half‑time break 1–0 up, and that’s how the game ended. Despite a valiant effort in the second half, the boys didn’t have enough to find an equaliser. A very strong defensive display was the highlight, with David Stobie putting in a MOTM performance. A week’s rest over half‑term before the next league fixture will hopefully allow tired legs to recover and see the return of several injured players.

Shiplake College 0 – 1 Claire’s Court School

3rd XI vs Salesian College

A tough away day for the 3rds today. After a couple of minutes, an amazing turn by Dan Hale — including a nutmeg that had the coaches mistaking him for a young Dele Alli — created our first opportunity, but we couldn’t convert. A change in the wind then caused a lucky strike to dip into the top‑left corner of our goal from outside the box. Some creative dribbles from B Demery and calm defending from Freddie Holgate helped us regain control, but our finishing let us down. The second half began with a scrappy goal making it 2–0, but we rallied. After an excellent dribble from Demery, the ball fell to the infamous Dan Hale who, like Luke Littler, was unfazed by the opposition’s chat and fired into the bottom‑left corner like a 180. With two minutes left, Salesian brought on a striker who lobbed our keeper from distance.
MOTM: Freddie Holgate.

Shiplake College 1 – 3 Salesian College

U15A vs Maiden Erlegh School

Our 15As showed great spirit and determination to claw back a much‑deserved equaliser in the final minute against a strong Maiden Erlegh side — by far the strongest opposition we’ve faced this year. The game started well for Shiplake, with the first 10–15 minutes producing some of the best football we’ve played: controlled possession, freedom, and confidence. The goal never came, and on the transition we failed to track back, conceding just before half‑time. The second half began much like the first. Fresh legs off the bench helped us create several chances, with Sargent and Mellor beginning to dominate midfield. With 10 minutes left, Maiden Erlegh missed a golden chance to go 2–0 up. That spurred us on. As the game stretched, fine interplay down the right involving Durkan and Webb was met at the back post by Sargent — an equaliser in the fading light, with less than a minute to go. Absolute scenes. A draw was probably a fair result overall. Mellor deserved Player of the Match after a superb performance from the bench.

Shiplake College 1 – 1 Maiden Erlegh School

U15B vs Maiden Erlegh School

An eight‑goal thriller saw the U15Bs earn a hard‑fought 4–4 draw in their second fixture in as many days. Shiplake made a slow start and found themselves two goals down early. Rather than folding, the boys turned the contest into an end‑to‑end spectacle. William Webb was outstanding, repeatedly delivering dangerous crosses. One sparked the comeback when the keeper spilled his ball and Eddie Hills squared for H Lawrence to finish. Maiden Erlegh made it 3–1, but Shiplake refused to relent. Eddie battled to keep a ball in play before feeding Seb Harrison, who finished smartly. Momentum grew. Eddie’s free kick was parried and captain Jonny Elston reacted quickest to tuck home the rebound — his third goal in two matches. Eddie then won and converted a penalty to put Shiplake ahead with two minutes left. It looked like the winner, but a late scramble allowed Maiden Erlegh to equalise. The boys can hold their heads high after a dramatic fightback. While Eddie was exceptional, Harry Woodward’s determination and drive in midfield proved decisive and earned him Man of the Match.

Shiplake College 4 – 4 Maiden Erlegh School