ESFA Internationals, featured, Match Reports

England U15 Schoolgirls 2 -0 ISFA U16 Girls

The England U15 Schoolgirls travelled down to Surrey this weekend for their last friendly fixture of the season before the competitive Bob Docherty Cup commences during the Easter break. The impressive Charterhouse School was the venue for this fixture, with a brilliant playing surface allowing the England girls to show off their fluid attacking football. ISFA (Independent Schools’ Football Association) U16 Girls were the opposition, a good test for the England schoolgirls playing up an age group against an experienced and physical side.

Cecily Wellesley-Smith got the England side off to the best possible start with her long-range effort catching the keeper off-guard and finding the back of the net, making it 1-0 to England in the second minute. England continued to pile on the pressure, getting in behind the ISFA defence on numerous occasions, with strikes from Mia Endacott and Ruby Gaitely troubling the ISFA Keeper. ISFA came close to an equaliser mid-way through the first half, cannoning a free kick against the frame of Ashleigh Ridsdel- Harrison’s goal.

England extended their lead on the stroke of half time with some tidy play resulting in the ball being set back to Emily Cassap, 25 yards out, who found the top far corner with her left foot, giving the ISFA goalkeeper no chance. The half time whistle blew as the girls were celebrating this strike, with England manager Sian Williams making changes at half time to give the whole squad a run out.

The changes seemed to do very little to disrupt the England Schoolgirls’ rhythm, winning the ball back high up the pitch and getting numerous shots on the ISFA goal, which were well saved by the opposition keeper. This early second half pressure saw ISFA concede a flurry of corners which were put into good areas by England, but no one was able to get that final touch to extend the lead.

Blows were traded by both sides, but the best chance of the second half saw Isobel Young dart down the left to the by line and pull a ball across to Mia Endacott in the middle, who’s shot was deflected over the bar.

The match concluded England U15 Schoolgirls 2-0 ISFA U16 Schoolgirls, a great test for England ahead of their international competitive fixtures in the Bob Docherty Cup which starts on Monday 11th April.

England Bob Docherty fixtures will be available to watch live on our YouTube Channel, ESFA TV and stay tuned on our social channels, following @Schoolsfootball for more information.

To purchase any photos from the game, please contact ThreeFiveThree Photography. For any media enquiries please contact Jacob Blades on [email protected].

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