The Schools’ Cup Round up – October 2022

October 2022 saw over 2,500 ESFA Schools’ Cup fixtures taking place across the country, taking the total number of fixtures played so far this season to 4681

The ESFA’s official photographer Garry Griffiths (353 Photography) has been attending as many of these fixtures as possible, capturing some special schools’ football moments, from last minute winners to penalty shootout heartbreak.

The report below provides a short roundup from some of 353 Photography‘s coverage of October’s matches:

Cheltenham Bournside School 1 – 6 St Peters Catholic High School ESFA U13 PlayStation Schools’ Cup for Girls

The month kicked off with a double header in the West Country as Cheltenham Bournside hosted St Peters Catholic High School in the U13 Girls’ and U13 Boys’ cup competitions, with the visitors recording wins in both games.

Cheltenham Bournside School 1 – 1 St Peters Catholic High School (4-5 pens) ESFA U13 PlayStation Schools’ Cup

In the boys’ game we saw a tense and tight affair, with Bournside taking the lead before a second half equaliser took the game to penalties – our first of the season.
Some excellent spot kicks followed with just one save from the visiting keeper being enough to send the Gloucester school through.

Dr Challoners Grammar School 6 – 0 Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School ESFA U16 Schools’ Cup

A Monday afternoon venture to Buckinghamshire saw an excellent performance from Dr Challoners Grammar School. The team scored 5 first-half goals in their 6-0 win over Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School. The win saw Dr Challoners advance to round 3 of the ESFA U16 Schools’ Cup competition for 22/23.

Staffordshire University Academy 1 – 2 Sir Thomas Boughey Academy ESFA U16 Small Schools’ Cup

Three goals in the opening 15 minutes of the U16 Small Schools’ Cup tie between Staffordshire University Academy and Sir Thomas Boughey Academy was all that was needed for the visitors to leave Hednesford with a 2-1 win. There had, however been plenty of chances for both sides to add to their tally during, what turned out to be, a great and competitive game.

Sandwell College 2 – 1 Thomas Telford School ESFA U18 Super League

We covered a high noon Girls’ Super League showdown between Sandwell College and Thomas Telford. The match looked to be heading for a 1-1 draw, until an excellent long range shot clinched a vital group win for the home side, in an excellent game at the WBA Academy.

Ashlyns School 3 – 1 JFS ESFA U12 PlayStation Schools’ Cup

It was a beautiful day in Hertfordshire for the U12 boys’ tie between Ashlyns School and JFS. The fixture went the way of the home side, 3-1 the final score in a really entertaining match that, ultimately, turned on some excellent finishing from the hosts and a fine penalty save.

Hazel Grove High School 2 – 6 Priestnall School ESFA U12 PlayStation Schools’ Cup

A Friday trip to Cheshire followed more stories in the U12 PS Schools’ Cup competition. In yet another wet and rainy encounter, we saw the visitors take command late on to win 6-2, but only after Hazel Grove had pegged them back to 2-3 early in the second half with a fine flowing move which threatened a comeback.

Ludlow CofE School 4 – 1 Wolverhampton Grammar School
ESFA U12 PlayStation Small Schools’ Cup

Next up a trip to Ludlow CofE School, as they won 4-1 at home to Wolverhampton Grammar School in a hard fought U12 Small Schools cup match played in the Shropshire sunshine. The game was level for most of the opening half before the home side took command scoring some excellent goals to secure a round 3 berth.

Bobby Moore Academy 2 – 1 Woodbridge High School ESFA U16 Schools’ Cup

What we thought was our final game of the term, was a London trip to Bobby Moore Academy as their U16 boys’ cup-tie took place in the shadow of West Ham’s Olympic Stadium home. The match did the excellent playing surface justice, with another end-to-end encounter going the way of the home side with a final 2-1 result.

A big thank you to 353 Photography for writing these reports and capturing so much ESFA Schools’ Cup action this month. If you would like 353 Photography to attend your Schools’ Cup fixture, please contact [email protected]