Back row (l-r): Tamara Esin, Claudia Spanier, Maia Di Gesaro, Adeitura Andu
Front row: Sofia Martin (c), Farida Mohammed-Koko, Lola Stubbs

On Friday 27 January, seven Queenswood girls took part in the English Schools Football Association 5-a-side indoor regional competition at the University of East Anglia, following their win at the County round back in November. This was the first time that Queenswood had ever qualified for Regionals in football, and all were excited to be taking part.

The day was a round robin format which meant every game was crucial. Our first game was against Challney School in Luton, whom we had watched win their first match 5-0. Queenswood stuck to the game plan; Adeitura Andu and Lola Stubbs were solid in defence and Captain Sofia Martin and forward Maia Di Gesaro battled tirelessly. Sofia got an early goal, through a fantastic strike in the right corner, and Maia got the second as she pounced on a through ball from Sofia. Queenswood managed to see the game through to the end, to earn themselves an excellent 2-0 victory.

The second game was against a strong Queens School, who had been to Nationals the previous few years. The game was end to end, with GK Farida Mohammed-Koko making some outstanding saves and Tamara Esin and Claudia Spanier chasing down loose balls. Sadly Queens got a goal in the last minute of the game, and despite chances, Queenswood couldn’t get it back.

The third game was against Neale Wade School from Cambridge, who were leading the pool on points and goal difference. Sofia was outstanding yet again, getting on the end of a goalkeeper error and scoring early in the game. Lola and Adeitura man-marked their prolific goal scorer out the game and Queenswood finished the game 1-0 winners; an emphatic win!

Going into the final game saw three teams tied on points, and the need for all teams to score as many goals as possible. We were up against Kings Langley; and were 4-0 up in the first five minutes. Sofia Martin had scored three and Maia one. Unfortunately due to a player entering the GK’s area, Queenswood gave away a penalty, which Farida got her hands to but couldn’t quite save from the goal. Sofia ran through to pull back another goal but the game finished 5-1.

Queenswood did extremely well, but missed out on a place at Nationals by goal difference. Achieving second place at the Regionals was an outstanding achievement.

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  Player of the Tournament: Sofia Martin