Whitgift School v Claremont School in a English Schools Football Association Boys Under 14 Elite Schools Cup match at Whyteleafe FC on Monday 20th January 2020 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography
Claremont School and Whitgift School played out a classic cup tie at Whyteleafe FC’s Church Road Ground with the boys from Sussex edging through to the last 16.
Jaydon Fuller grabbed a first half double to put Claremont 2-0 ahead and seemingly in command of tie that promised to be one of the ties of the round.
Whitgift pulled a goal back before the break to set up a tense second half in which they did everything but draw level.
Fuller could have scored a hat-trick goal but for an offside flag but it was a backs to the wall performance from the Claremont defence in the second half, epitomised by a fantastic double save from keeper Jacob Watson late on to preserve the one goal advantage.
While Whitgift players were disappointed at the final whistle, they fully played their part in a cup tie where the result was in doubt right up until the last kick of the game.
Both sides were a credit to their schools but it was Claremont who made the trip back to Sussex 2-1 winners.
A big thank you to 353 Photography for the match report and images.
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.