Round One of the National U18 Cup saw Sherborne hosting Barton Peveril College. Going into the match with little to no knowledge of the opposition, whether it be results, tactics or key players. Coming off the back of a 2-2 draw against Dauntsey’s and two games following, being a cup game only heightened the stakes.

Sherborne started well however, Barton’s key midfield players allowed them to get a foothold in the game early on. As the first half pressed on Sherborne’s attack grew stronger and stronger and despite getting close on numerous occasions, a touch being all that was needed, the game remained level. Sherborne’s luck would change, however, after they were awarded their first Short Corner, Jamie Guy stepping up to take the flick. Despite a good save from Barton’s keeper it was parried into the path of Will Tatham, who directed the ball off the keeper into the goal, breaking the deadlock. From this point on, Sherborne dominated the 1st half and chances flowed. Shortly after the first a lovely Sherborne move left Charlie Dangerfield, on debut, open in the middle of the D, with the keeper beaten, only one defender remained, scrambling to the goal line, Dangerfield taking his chance beautifully, doubling Sherborne’s lead. As half-time neared Sherborne continued to pile on the chances, sweeping up loose balls and, with the help of Charlie Wilson and the back line, keeping their goal unbroken, entering the break with a 2-0 lead.

Many, whether supporters or players, would have been worried about a Dauntsey’s-esq situation occurring once again. A 2 goal lead wasn’t enough to hold off Dauntsey’s, was it enough to hold off Barton?

The second half started well for Sherborne as they continued to squeeze Barton’s defence. Barton however, were not going to go down without a fight and had, themselves, ample opportunity to get back into the game. A combination of tidy defending and some top saves from Wilson helped Sherborne maintain their lead. Equally, Sherborne struggled to put away their chances, on another day the scoreline could have been a lot harsher on Barton. As tensions began to spark and an accumulation of bad tackles led to Sherborne being dealt a green card, a swift counter attack saw Stan Harris against the keeper, a tidy finish giving Sherborne a 3-0 lead.

Despite a late onslaught from Barton’s attack, Sherborne’s defence remained strong, highlighted by Jamie Guy’s brilliant short-corner defence late on, and managed to hold on to a clean sheet. The game ended 3-0 in Sherborne’s favour, a second round cup draw to follow. Myles Boardman Hirst’s brilliant control of the midfield gained him Man of the Match.