Year 7 Cup Final Victory
Hailsham Academy’s Year 7 football team rounded off their season in style with a well‑earned 3–1 victory over Seaford Head in the cup final at the Peacehaven County pitch. The occasion felt special from the start, as both teams completed their warm‑ups before heading back into the changing rooms and then walking out to a crowd of around 100 supporters.
The opening stages were cagey, with both sides taking time to settle into the match and neither team fully on the front foot. Hailsham eventually found their rhythm and broke the deadlock when Louis reacted quickly inside the box, finishing confidently to give his side a 1–0 lead. Moments later came a standout moment from Emin, who scored directly from a corner to make it 2–0. It was the perfect boost heading into half‑time, and the message in the changing room was simple: keep going, stay focused, and don’t get complacent.
The second half proved much tougher as Seaford Head applied constant pressure and forced Hailsham back for long periods. Their efforts were rewarded when they pulled a goal back to make it 2–1, raising the tension among the crowd and setting up a challenging final spell. Corner after corner was defended with determination, with every player showing commitment to hold on to the lead.
Despite tired legs and rising nerves in the stands, Hailsham Academy produced the move that sealed the match. Eric played a clever pass through the Seaford defence, and Jensen finished calmly to restore the two‑goal cushion at 3–1. The team celebrated together in the corner with the bench, knowing they were close to something special. They stayed strong for the final minutes and saw the game out professionally to secure a deserved victory.
After the final whistle, each player was awarded a gold medal before the team came together to lift the South Downs Sports Partnership Cup—an unforgettable moment for the squad, their families, and the supporters who had cheered them on throughout the match. The Sheild will be on display in the sports hall trophy cabinet.
Player of the Match was awarded to Ollie for an excellent defensive performance, while Jude in goal also earned huge praise for staying composed and producing several key saves throughout the game.
Finally thank you to Ollie H who came and supported the school and the referee by volunteering his time and being linesman for the game
A brilliant end to the competition and a performance the whole school can be proud of.
Attendance: 104
Team sheet: Ollie, Emin, Jude, Lewis, Noah, Francis, Alfie, Riley, Huey, Jenson, Louis, Frankie, Jerome , Eric and assistance from Ollie H from Year 11.
During the Year 7 Assembly on Friday the team were given an awards ceremony in front of their peers, where Mr Wakeling and Mr Marsden handed them their medals and team captain Ollie was presented with the cup shield. What a great start to a Friday morning!
