The Prep 5/6 football team set off early on Friday morning  to travel to Kings School,Chester for the AJIS Cup prelimary 7 a- side football tournament.

The standard of competition was high as expected and Bridgewater had the toughest of starts with an opening game against eventual winners Birkenhead. The team boosted 3 Liverpool FC Academy players and the Bridgewater team battled  valiantly to limit the score line. There was a similar tale to the second game as Bridgewater tackled hosts Kings School. The Chester youngsters proved a tough hurdle to overcome and despite some resilient defending from captain Archie O Neil and great goalkeeping from Matthew Houghton, the Chester side ran out 4-0 winners.

It was the second half of the tournament that the Prep side started to adapt to the tactical and positional changes enforced upon them by the strength of the opposing teams. Archie O Neil and Prep 3 debutant Alfie Turley were outstanding as centre-backs in a hard fought game against Newcastle-U-Lyme School. Chances came and went for both sides with Oliver Ball and Ethan Ashardu going close for Bridgewater. However, it was Daniel Lord who chased down a hopeful long ball to edge the ball past the on rushing keeper for an excellent and well deserved 1-0 win.

With third spot up for grabs in a quality AJIS mini league, Bridgewater went into the final game against Westholme full of confidence. The team moved the ball around with more precision and control and created chance after chance as the game wore on. Eventually, Bridgewater claimed a fantastic 3-0 victory with two goals from Daniel Lord and a late thunderbolt from Ethan  Clough.

Overall, Bridgewater can take many positives from the day and will go into the knock out stages of the AJIS Cup in January with much to look forward to. The squad team spirit was admirable during the games and the travelling support was also much appreciated The team is in action again on Tuesday at 4pm on the 3G against local rivals Clarendon Cottage.