The England U15 Schoolgirls win the SAFIB Bob Docherty Tournament following a 1-1 draw with Scotland.
Scotland got the game off to a lightning start, finding the back of the English net within the opening 2 minutes of the game. However, England fired back straight away, a through ball from Sophia Burton was pounced upon by Emily Giddings whose touch took it round the keeper and all she had to do was roll it into the empty net.
The next two chances of the game fell to England’s Sophia Burton, who found herself through on goal following a throw in, her shot from the angle was tipped just around the post by the Scottish keeper. The following corner was played short to Dolly Reynolds, who whipped the ball into the box; Sophia Burton made some connection on the ball but her effort was cleared off the line by a Scottish defender.
The remainder of the half saw several chances for each team, with the game falling into a stalemate in midfield. The teams went into the break level at 1-1.
England Manager, Sian Williams made a triple substitution at half time which gave England a more direct route to goal which they utilised well; finding Macie Mae Halsall on multiple occasions who held it up effectively. Evie Mitchell, another of the half time substitutes, was quick off her line to stop a couple of dangerous Scotland attacks early in the half.
England started to dominate the ball and the territory towards the end of the second half and looked the most likely to break the deadlock. Emily Giddings saw her shot find the side netting and Chloe Giddings saw her shot saved well by the Scotland keeper. However, no breakthrough was made, and the game ended 1-1 In full time.
The game moved to penalties to decide the winner of the SAFIB Bob Docherty Tournament 2024. England didn’t get off to the ideal start missing their first penalty, but some great saves from Evie Mitchell and a calm finish by Chloe Giddings won England the shootout for the extra bonus point.
England ended the Bob Docherty Tournament 2024 as champions and return to home soil with the trophy, along with the John Read trophy, which the girls won earlier in the week, after beating the ROI in their Wednesday fixture. The 2024 cohort of players scooped up all the possible silverware on offer to them and were a fantastic team throughout this year’s international campaign.
Those players who’s County teams are heading to ESFA National Finals this May will have that occasion to look forward and all the girls will then get together one final time this season, for their Cap Presentation event in June at Aston Villa FC.
Congratulations to the squad and the Management Team on an incredibly successful season!
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.