The second round of Football Senior Ties brought out a thrilling set of fixtures marked by determination and unforgettable drama. Held on Wednesday 8 October, each match reflected the Etonian spirit that defines the school sport, as teams battled for a place in the next stage.
The most notable result of the round came from HJRM (Durnford House), who inflicted a commanding 8-0 victory over SPH (Baldwin’s Bec). From start to finish, HJRM controlled possession, moved the ball with confidence, and were truly comfortable offensively. SPH were left with few answers to HJRM’s relentless attacking display, which will undoubtedly make the team, seeded third, early favourites for the title.
Elsewhere, ABH (Jourdelay’s) blew two goals straight past JCAJ’s (Walpole House) defence. Despite the scoreline being narrower, ABH’s composure allowed them to easily overcome their opponents and secure the progression. EJNR (Keate House), meanwhile, endured a tense encounter with CDNP (Evans’s), the tie decided only by penalties after a stalemate in regular time. EJNR held their nerve on the spot to attain a place in the next round.
In another entertaining contest DMT (Penn House), last year’s winners, produced a solid 3-1 victory against NA (Wotton House), showcasing both attacking flair and organisation in defence. JD (Farrer House), also a finalist from last year, joined DMT in the next round and defeated RCH (South Lawn) 2-1 with some late match drama and a disallowed goal – a game that could have gone either way until the final minutes.
IRS (Common Lane House) continued their run with a 2-0 win over PEPW (Manor House), maintaining a clean sheet and demonstrating the stability of the team. PAH (Cotton Hall) also advanced edging IRG (Hawtrey House) 1-0 in a contest which highlighted their resilience in front of goal.
The final tie of the round saw AGDF (The Hopgarden) and JNO (Villiers House) locked in a dramatic battle that went all the way to penalties. After a contest which was thought to be going JNO’s way, AGDF held firm in the shootout, securing their spot in the next round and leaving room for celebration.
As the competition moves forward, teams like HJRM aim to maintain their momentum, while others will take confidence from hard-earned victories. With every remaining side proving its quality, the next round promises even more excitement and unpredictability in this year’s tournament.
