Nine Lives, An Unlucky Academy

Tile Cross Academy U12s could count themselves unlucky as their bid to start off their season with a trophy ended in the group stages of the 2024 Milk Cup at Ninestiles Academy.

On an afternoon of anticipation and tension in a frenetic atmosphere, Tile Cross played some neat tiki-taka football throughout but were overpowered at times by their more experienced counterparts. Facing a six-team round-robin, luck was not on their side as they were landed in the ‘group of death.’ In their 5 group games, TCA managed to draw two of them, losing thrice. Despite missing out on a place in the semi-finals, the team only conceded 4 goals as their stalwart defence and goalkeeper performed heroics at the back.

Not only did the team catch the eye of the spectators with their work-ethic, but the way they displayed excellent sportsmanship and respect to each other was testament to the Tile Cross values.   

Having recently rejected Manchester United’s advances to replace Erik ten Hag, the manager has only had 2 weeks of training with the squad and has assured the media and fans that there are more positive signs of things to come.

Players making their full debuts:

Top row (L-R): Adams, Slender, Ali, Bailey, O’Brien

Bottom row (L-R): O’Brien, Camera, Webb-Mason, Thompson

The TCA U12 boys held their heads up high despite not making the Semi-finals (Getty Images)

Thank you to Ms Matthews for driving the minibus. It was the boys’ first taste of secondary school tournament football, and they should be really proud of themselves after losing graciously. Every single one of them represented Tile Cross in a fantastic manner.

There’s always next year…

Mr Ip