Summerhill School 0 – 1 Thomas Telford School
The opening round of the competition saw one of the favourites, Thomas Telford (Telford & Wrekin), make the relatively short journey to Kingswinford to face Summerhill School (Brierley Hill & Dudley) on a sunny October afternoon.
The Match Action
Thomas Telford were knocked out of this competition on penalties at the fourth round stage last season by Summerhill following a 1-1 draw in Shropshire so the new crop of year 11 students were expected to serve up another close encounter.
And so it proved as a lively Summerhill got off to a confident start as Thomas Telford struggled to come to terms with a flat but bobbly pitch courtesy of the dry summer. A couple of half chances passed the home side by with the visiting keeper having to be alert throughout the opening exchanges.
Neither side were creating many clear cut chances but it was the visitors who bagged just short of the half-time break when a corner kick fell loose in the box and was stabbed home through a cluster of bodies and passed an unsighted keeper.
Despite this setback the home side were more than a match for their opponents either side of the break and, with a little more fortune or a lucky bounce of the ball, Summerhill could have easily drawn level to take the game into extra time.
It was not to be, however, and Thomas Telford advanced into round two with a narrow victory although Summerhill pushed them every inch of the way and deserve credit for their performance.
Round two saw Thomas Telford matched up against Q3 Academy (Sandwell) and with a 5-0 victory the Telford lads progressed to the next round. The third round draw gives Thomas Telford an away day to either RSA Academy (Sandwell) or Arks Kings Academy (Kings Norton & South Birmingham) where both should prove a sturdy test.
A huge thanks to our official photographer Garry Griffiths at 353 Photography for capturing the match events and pictures. Craving more actions shots from this match? Simply click here to see more!
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By ESFA Rob
