As we approach the end of the year, we’re looking back at some of the early round fixtures which took during the past 12 months. Here are some of the best images we captured throughout 2021.
There was a rainy September afternoon in the Lake District, as West Lakes Academy travelled to local rivals St Benedicts, in the U14 Boys. The following day, Fulford School faced Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School as the U13 Girls played in a mix of sunshine and showers.
St Hilda’s CofE High School’s fell to a U13 Boys Cup defeat at home to Maricourt, in what was a wet Friday afternoon in Liverpool. A day later, following a late venue change due to a waterlogged pitch, Cape Cornwall managed to beat Plymouth School of Creative Arts in Penzance.
In November’s first fixture, Westminster School ran out as 3-1 winners over Alexandra Park School at the Maurice Rebak Stadium.
In Nottingham, Parkside School held on for a 3-2 win at West Bridgford School in the U13 Boys Cup. Parkside had a 3-goal lead, before West Bridgford mounted a late comeback. However, it was too little too late, and Parkside held on to move into the next round.
A sunny December afternoon in Manchester saw Priestnall School and Manchester Grammar School share 6 goals, before Manchester Grammar went through to round 3 of the U13 Elite Boys Cup, thanks to a penalty shoot-out.
A bitterly cold and wet afternoon in Coventry for the U15 Boys Cup saw Cardinal Newman fall to a 3-2 defeat to Repton School, in extra time.
There were two games in one afternoon at Sandwell Academy, as their U15 Girls fell to a defeat to an impressive John Port Spencer Academy. Meanwhile, their U13 Boys were beaten by West Derby School in a seven-goal thriller with the hosts falling to a 4-3 defeat.
In Derbyshire, Dronfield Henry Fanshawe and King James School met in a last 8 tie in the Under 15 Boys Cup. Snow was swept off the artificial pitch to enable their tie to go ahead with the visitors edging the tie 2-1.
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The 2021/22 season is already well underway, we will bring you updates throughout the year.
The ESFA would like to say a big thank you to our official photographer Garry Griffiths from 353 photography for traveling up and down the country covering our national cup fixtures. If you would like to purchase any photos from Garry please follow his link here.
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.