Islington’s Under-11s Primary Schools’ District team put in a strong performance against the older side

THERE were goals galore on Saturday when top footballers from across Camden and Islington gathered for a pre-season friendly in Highgate.

Islington’s Under-11s Primary Schools’ District team played out a seven-goal thriller against their Under-12s Islington and Camden District counterparts.

It was the Primary team that got off to a flyer, with Mert Polat scoring after just two minutes. Ed Bullman soon equalised for the Under-12s, before an outstanding double save from Under-11s goalkeeper Guy Byrne kept the scores level.

The joint Islington and Camden squad then took the lead through Jude Gallagher. But a minute later the topsy-turvy game was level once more thanks to Noah Odinma, who made it 2-2. Ryan Williams then converted a free-kick to put the Under-11s in front for a second time. But it was the Under-12s celebrating at the sound of the final whistle after goals from Ezel Ornek and Jack Orbell sealed a pulsating 4-3 victory.

“It was a really good workout for us,” said Islington Under-11s manager Michael MacNeill.

Under-12s boss KJ de Morais added: “The Under-11s probably played better than us. We need to work on our approach to games.”