TGS didn’t stop there. Zoe came close when her driving run ended with a strike against the crossbar. Minutes later, Heidi and Natalie linked up well in midfield to release Zoe one-on-one with the keeper, and she calmly found the bottom corner to level the score. The momentum stayed with TGS, and some excellent wing play found Zoe in space once again—she made no mistake in slotting home her second, giving TGS a 2-1 lead.

This sparked a response from Bullers Wood, who began to pile on the pressure. Strong defending from Lucy and Rosie kept them at bay, but with seconds remaining in the first half, Bullers Wood broke through with some slick interplay to equalize just before the whistle. The teams went into halftime locked at 2-2.

The second half started in a similarly end-to-end fashion, but as the game wore on, TGS found themselves pushed deeper due to Bullers Wood’s relentless and well-organized press. Eventually, the pressure told, and Bullers Wood regained the lead at 3-2.

TGS battled on, with Gabby’s hard work winning the ball up front and daring runs from Molly and Zoe forcing the opposition to stay alert to the counterattack threat. However, with seconds left on the clock, Bullers Wood sealed the title with an incredible long-range strike from 30 yards out, making it 4-2.

This was TGS’s first time in the tournament, and what an achievement it was to reach the final. The players worked tirelessly all season but were ultimately beaten by the better side on the night—and that’s football!

A huge congratulations to all involved, and a big thank you to the Kent Schools FA for the opportunity, to all the teachers, friends, and families who braved the bitter cold to support, and to Bullers Wood for being deserved champions and great competitors.

Bullers Wood (4) vs Tonbridge Grammar (2)

Mr Curtis, Joint Subject Leader Physical Education