The best words to describe our experience at the ISFA National Girls 7-Aside Football Competition at Charterhouse on Sunday 13 October would be cold and wet.

However, despite playing in weather that would have made Noah nervously reach for his carpentry materials, the newly formed U18 Queenswood Football Team performed admirably before – in true English style – eventually being knocked out in the Quarter Finals.

With over thirty Independent schools from all around the UK represented, we had briefly topped our qualifying group, led for much of the game against the national champions of Scotland and were within touching distance of reaching the Semi Finals.

However, as conditions worsened and players turned blue, we conceded some scruffy goals, missed some fairly straightforward chances, and generally had little luck, as we were finally  knocked out by Uppingham.   There were many encouraging signs – especially as we seek to build on our excellent success in the District 5-aside a few weeks ago: the debuts of Angelica Nwosu-Paini and Teni Adeola in the defence provided much needed solidity and aggression alongside stalwarts Amy Lynn and Cartier Finnis, Lizzie Every’s enthusiastic running and harrying well supported the midfield diamond of Naomi Coulson, Cesca Polledri and Shania Bedi, and Rhianna Bedi continued her excellent run of goal scoring.  

We have U14 and U15 District 5-aside in the week beginning 14 October, followed by a match against Haileybury in November.  

Things are very much on the up for football at Queenswood.