On Sunday 8 May, a team of Sidney staff members, led by Deputy Head Porter Maurice Flack, took on a side of Sidney’s finest footballers, captained by Sidney finalist Ben Speakman. Ben is here to fill us in on how the day played out.
With the sun shining and not a cloud in the sky, the scene was set for a exciting afternoon of football. Sidney staff lined up in a yellow and blue strip, whilst the student side donned white jerseys, with postgraduate student Tashan in charge of officiating.
Postgraduate student Tashan officiated the game
With a staff kick, the game was underway. The yellows passed the ball nicely and demonstrated early signs of threatening the students’ goal. The teamwork skills of the Catering and Buttery staff, who formed the majority of their squad, came out on the pitch as they built quick link-up play across the field. Despite the skills from the Sidney staff, the students showed promise, with midfielder Ujjal supplying splendid passes to attackers Henry and Jonah.
Whilst the formidable Argenis (Casual Catering Assistant) defended well, it was Students FC who took the early lead. Ben found himself in space on the left wing and played Jonah in behind the defence, who passed the ball across the face of goal for Henry to score. However, the staff side responded strongly. The Spanish core of Staff FC produced some neat passing and footwork which resulted in an equaliser by Bernat (Catering Assistant).
The students’ answer to this goal came from Alastair, whose excellent finishing can always be relied upon. Again, the staff showed great spirit to draw the scores level once more. This time the goal came from an impressive free-kick which beat student goalkeeper Tom to the top corner of his goal. At the half-time whistle, the scoreline read Staff FC 4-2 Students FC, following another two staff goals.
Both teams battling it out on the pitch
In the second half, the goals continued from both teams. Henry found the net again for the students to narrow the deficit to one, but the staff team showed no sign of letting up. They linked up well with one another to beat the students’ defence and produced another four goals to finish the game. Albeit a consolation, a final goal for Students FC came from a sublime finish from Chris.
Final score: Staff FC 8-5 Students FC
With spectators in attendance in support of both Sidney staff and students, this football match marked a special moment for the College with the Sidney community coming together as one. Following the success of the event, there are plans to repeat the match in years to come, as a symbol of community and friendship between Sidney's staff and students.
Written by Sidney finalist Ben Speakman
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