Year 7 National Cup Victory!

On Tuesday 6th October, the Year 7 football team embarked on the first step of their Paignton Academy footballing journey with their first match for the school against St John Hunt in Round 1 of the ESFA National Cup.

With Plymouth schools always providing notoriously tough opposition, the boys knew they would have to start the game well to give themselves a strong chance of progressing to Round 2 of the National Cup, and the team did just that!

Taking the early ascendancy, goals from Tommy and Logan saw Paignton fly into a 2-0 lead, as the team were rewarded for their fine start to the contest. The boys in red continued to build on their strong advantage as the first half progressed.

The energetic Tommy doubled his personal tally with a well-struck effort to make the score 3-0, before Maximiliano registered his first goal in Paignton red with a well-placed shot to extend the lead to 4-0.

With half-time beckoning, there was time for a fifth goal of the contest as a well-executed Paignton set-piece was headed home expertly by CJ, who stooped to direct the ball into the St John Hunt net and make the score 5-0 at the interval.

Despite a dominant first-half display, the Paignton Academy boys knew that any slip in concentration could make the second half a trickier prospect than expected, so it was important that they matched their first-half performance with another solid showing after the break.

Paignton Academy had to rely on some sound defending from Eli, Louie and Man of the Match Theo during the early second-half exchanges. Their strong efforts at the back helped relieve some early St John Hunt pressure. The Paignton rearguard was well supported by goalkeeper Rhys, who made a couple of smart stops at the beginning of the half to preserve the clean sheet.

The St John Hunt response did, however, see the visitors score a consolation goal from the penalty spot. The Plymouth side's effort was sandwiched between Paignton Academy's sixth and seventh goals, with the latter coming from Rhys as the lively winger bagged his first goal for the Academy to make it 7-1 on the night.

Rhys's late push for the headlines continued as he followed up his own effort, which had been well saved by the St John Hunt goalkeeper, to make the score 8-1 and secure safe passage into Round 2 for the rampant Reds.

After an excellent debut on the hallowed Waterleat Road turf, the Paignton boys will now wait with anticipation to discover their Round 2 opponents. Attention now shifts back to their weekly training sessions, which will resume next Wednesday on the Waterleat Road Astroturf.

Well done, boys, on a superb first outing for your new school. You can be very proud of your efforts in Paignton colours!

Mr Smith