Match Report: A Celebration of Girls’ Football – 2018/19 ESFA U18 Schools’ Cup for Girls National Final

Thomas Telford School 2 – 0 Barking Abbey School

On Wednesday 27 March the ESFA headed to AFC Fylde’s Mill Farm to feature the two Girls’ U18 National Finals, which showcased some of the best female footballing talent from around the country.

After five previous rounds and over 60 exhilarating cup matches, the finalists were confirmed as Telford & Wrekin’s Thomas Telford School and Barking & Dagenham’s Barking Abbey School. With just the National Final remaining, the two teams battled it out to become National Champions at AFC Fylde’s Mill Farm stadium.

Thomas Telford School (Gold/Burgundy)		Barking Abbey School (Red)
1	Francesca Vitale	13	Grace Staunton ©
38	Erin Taylor	15	Maisy Wyer
8	Anna Morphet ©	3	Tilly Deacon
14	Eleanor Vernon	4	Sanaa Williams
4	Tilly Chase	5	Maddison Austin
6	Nya Edwards	6	Jameela Barrett
10	Jessica Jennings	7	Maizi Garwood
17	Chloe Shirley	14	Hannah Smith
20	Sasha Woodhouse	9	Jasmine Liddell
15	Danniella Garrett	10	Ellie Nicholls
19	Chantelle Teare	16	Poppy Binding
Substitutes
2	Sophie Bamford	8	Aaliyah Boyea
22	Bethan Lewis	2	Kirsty Woodacre
7	Yasmin Evans	12	Bethany Chambers
9	Sadie Craig	10	Beatriz Kretteis
13	Elizabeth Charnell	17	Elizabeth Reid

Watch the FULL MATCH HERE –

Kick off – Thomas Telford School V Barking Abbey School

Right from the get go, it was clear to see we were going to be treated to highly competitive game with both teams showing huge amounts quality all over the pitch. The first ten minutes was a cagey affair with both teams keeping things tight at the back as Telford’s Chase (4) controlled the midfield and Willams (4) marshaled the Barking Abby defensive line extremely well.

20 minutes on the clock and Barking Abbey started to get a foothold into the game with Barking Abbey’s Barrett (6) looking the most likely to create a chance however, it wasn’t her time to break the deadlock. The first goal of the game came from Jennings (10) of Thomas Telford after Teare made her way to the byline and cut the ball across the box, finding Jennings at the back post who smashed it home for one. Jennings’ goal gave Thomas Telford School a one-nil lead heading into half time.

Half time – Thomas Telford School 1 – 0 Barking Abbey School

After the half time interval, Thomas Telford came out fast, putting the pressure on Barking Abbey; firing shots and forcing some early corners but failing to capitalise on any chances.

Around the 70th minute Barking Abbey were threatening to get the equaliser but in a similar fashion to the first half, Thomas Telford showed their cutting edge to get the second goal of the game. Like deja vu, the goal came from another dribble to the byline and a cut back into the box; only this time Bramford (2) was the provider and Shirely (17) was at the back post to score in the 85th minute.

Full time – Thomas Telford School 2 – 0 Barking Abbey School

The final score at Mill Farm finished Thomas Telford School 2 – 0 Barking Abbey. Congratulations to Thomas Telford on earning the title of 2018/19 ESFA U18 Schools’ Cup for Girls National Champions!