Sunday 11th February saw the U10 Boys travel to Willenhall for the Staffordshire County Cup. It was going to be tough drawn in a league with Lichfield, WATS & Stone. We knew the boys would have to play at their best as a team to be in with a chance of qualifying for the Regional finals.

First match against Lichfield saw a 2-0 win with a first goal from Benjamin and one for William. After the game the boys were asked to keep working as a team, everyone had their part to play and to go after the ball when we lost it - if we have the ball the opposition can't score! Second up saw us come up against WATS. The boys took their team talk and put it in to action, scoring 3 goals, with the biggest cheer coming when Dougie scored his first goal for the team, much to the delight of all those supporting and the team themselves. Goals from Oscar and William secured the 3-0 win.

The 3rd match against Stone, was always going to be a tight battle and the boys were aware of this. However, following the team talk reiterating the need to keep the ball and go and get it back, the boys had an amazing match! Short corners were key with several opportunities resulting in 2 goals from William to secure a 2-0 win. Some fabulous interplay between Oscar, William and Joe, great defending from Albert and Benjamin and a fabulous save from James kept us at a comfortable score.

The Final against Leek would prove the biggest test!! After several short corners and opportunities to score, against the run of play, Leek went 1-0 up. But the boys battled on and again following a short corner, Oscar followed up and slotted in the equaliser, to huge cheers from the team and supporters alike! Finishing 1-1, it now came down to 3 penalty flicks with Joe, William and Benjamin to take them. James was absolutely amazing in goal and after saving one of the flicks the boys went on to win 2-1, to become Staffordshire U10s County Champions!

A fitting end to a fabulous day of hockey, where every single member of the team played their part!

Congratulations to William, Benjamin, Albert, Dougie, Jeniru, James, Oscar, Joe, Sai and Josh.

Next stop Regional Finals in Nottingham!!!