Uplands Academy Year 11 Football Team End Group Campaign in Style

On Wednesday 5 November, Uplands Academy Year 11 football team finished their group campaign with a dominant away performance against Heathfield. With a strong squad of fifteen, the fixture provided a perfect opportunity to rotate players and test them in new positions. The team showed impressive adaptability and teamwork, supporting one another superbly throughout the game.

From the opening whistle, Spencer and Sebby provided width on the wings, tasked with creating chances from wide areas. In trademark fashion, Sebby repeatedly took on the Heathfield left back with blistering pace, while Spencer showcased his close control and creativity on the opposite flank. Their efforts paid off early on when Spencer delivered a pin-point corner to the back post, where Alfie rose highest to power a header into the top corner. Alfie has been a threat throughout the fixtures for Year 11 scoring on two separate occasions.

A moment of flair followed soon after. Roman, shifting out to the right wing, produced a sublime piece of skill bringing the ball down beautifully before threading a curved through ball to Tyler, whose fierce shot was tipped onto the crossbar by the Heathfield goalkeeper.

At left back, Sebi impressed with his composed dribbling and precise passing, repeatedly driving forward to maintain Uplands; attacking momentum while his teammates on the bench cheered him on. Sebi however would eventually be humbled as he stepped up to take a long throw in, somehow managing to throw himself 5 yards on to the pitch and leave the ball trailing 10 yards off of it! 

Uplands’ second goal came through a familiar combination. Spencer once again involved in the build-up, sliding a clever pass through to Sebby, who showed real composure to curl a clinical finish into the top corner, securing Uplands a 2-0 lead.

Max made his full debut at right back after weeks of dedicated training and slotted in seamlessly, supporting a back four marshalled by Alfred and Henry, who dealt confidently with any Heathfield attacks.

In midfield, Edward and Hayden were calm and collected, very much enjoying the game with time and space in the middle to dictate the tempo of the match.

At half time, Wilfred, George and Freddie tested themselves in new midfield positions. Freddie quickly made his presence felt with a series of crunching tackles and grew in confidence as the game progressed. 

In the second half, Tyler continued to threaten the Heathfield defence, coming close on several occasions before finally capitalising on a defensive mistake. Anticipating a poor back pass, he pounced, rounded the keeper, and slotted home to make it 3-0, a true striker’s finish!

Late on, Edward, now operating on the right wing, promised the Uplands bench some “Lamine Yamal moments.” The flair was there but unfortunately the finish was not as a step-over and dart into the box ended with a left-footed shot that somehow cleared the goal and went out for a Heathfield throw!

But redemption came quickly. Edward’s next run into the box drew a clumsy challenge, earning Uplands a penalty. In a fine display of sportsmanship, he handed the ball to Freddie, whose strong midfield performance had earned him the moment. Freddie stepped up and blasted the penalty home with conviction, sealing an emphatic victory.

Final score: Heathfield 0 – 3 Uplands Academy

Well done to Teddy, Wilfred, George, Alfred, Henry, Alfie, Hayden, Edward, Spencer, Sebby, Roman, Tyler, Max, Sebi, Freddie. They performed fantastically well and close the season with a 3-0 victory!