Match Reports, National Competitions

#MatchReportMonday – The Schools’ Report with ThreeFiveThree Photography – ESFA Under 14 Boys Inter County Trophy Semi Final West Midlands V Merseyside

The Schools’ Report with ThreeFiveThree Photography

This week on The Schools’ Report with  ThreeFiveThree photographer Garry Griffiths,  we look back to the ESFA Under 14 Boys Inter County Trophy at the Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground when West Midlands U14s (Red) hosted Merseyside U14s (Yellow) National Semi Final!  

ESFA Under 14 Boys Inter County Trophy Semi Final West Midlands V Merseyside

On a cold evening in the Black Country it was Merseyside (Yellow) who edged into the National Final with a narrow 2-1 win away to a determined West Midlands (Red) side.

While the supporters braved the low temperature, it was the visitors who got off to a hot start meaning it came as no surprise when they took the lead, Paul Kyffin firing home from 12 yards midway through the first half.

Merseyside’s Kyffin almost doubled the lead shortly after but his 18 yard strike flashed narrowly wide.

The hosts had chances of their own and Harvey Pritchard just failed to make contact with a tempting cross that whipped across the face of the 6 yard box.

However, shortly before the break it was 1-1 when West Midlands’ Ayo Lekuti looped an effort over Charlie Callaghan and into the net despite the Merseyside attempts to clear off the goal line.

Half Time West Midlands 1-1 Merseyside

The second half was an even contest but it was the visitors who took the lead when Jacob Slater slotted the ball home to put Merseyside back in the driving seat.  

The West Midlands lads battled hard for a way back into the contest but were unable to create enough clear cut chances to find an equaliser and Merseyside were able to run down the clock and claim their place in the National Final.

Full Time West Midlands 1-1 Merseyside

Credit to both teams for playing the game in the right spirit with all players a credit to their regions and congratulations to Merseyside who will now face Kent in the National Final later in the season.

Match Reports, National Competitions

#MatchReportMonday – The Schools’ Report with ThreeFiveThree Photography – ESFA Under 16 Premier League Schools’ Cup for Girls Quarter Final Groby Community College V Maiden Erlegh School

The Schools’ Report with ThreeFiveThree Photography

ThreeFiveThree photographer Garry Griffiths is back again with some quarter  final action from the ESFA Under 16 Premier League Schools’ Cup for Girls!  The quarter  final threw up a mouth watering clash as  Maiden Erlegh School (Reading)  headed West Lancashire way to play  hosts  Groby Community College (West Leicestershire).

ESFA Under 16 Premier League Schools Cup for Girls Quarter Final Groby Community College V Maiden Erlegh School

A dramatic game in the Leicestershire sunshine saw Groby Community College edge into the last four and continue their remarkable run in this season’s competition.

The first half ended in stalemate with clear cut chances few and far between but former England Under 15 goalkeeper Lana Timson had to be on alert to snuff out the danger for the home side as the visitors grew into the game later in the opening half.

Katie Guinn did beat Timson to a through ball on the edge of the box towards half time but was forced wide and was unable to get a shot away before the ball was cleared.

The tension was growing with every passing minute and it was the visitors who edged ahead in the second half when Guinn was able to beat Timson and tap home into the empty net for a 1-0 lead.

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Groby Community College v Maiden Erlegh School in a English Schools Football Association Under 16 Premier League Girls Cup Quarter Final match at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus on Monday 28th January 2019 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

With the clock ticking down it was time to gamble for the home side, sending keeper Timson up front and bringing a substitute keeper in for the final few minutes and it certainly paid off when the ball fell to Timson who struck a sweet shot past Tilly Harrington in the Maiden Erlegh goal and into the far corner as the seconds ticked down to full time.

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Groby Community College v Maiden Erlegh School in a English Schools Football Association Under 16 Premier League Girls Cup Quarter Final match at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus on Monday 28th January 2019 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

Full Time  Groby Community College  1-1  Maiden Erlegh School

With extra time coming and going without additional scoring it was down to penalties to determine the winner with nothing between the teams in open play.

Timson, having gone back into goal just before the end of extra time, stepped up to smash home the opening penalty before saving the next two spot kicks and, with Harleen Thandi and Katie Parker converting their spot kicks, the last chance for the visitors to keep the tie alive was missed to see Groby progress.

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Groby Community College v Maiden Erlegh School in a English Schools Football Association Under 16 Premier League Girls Cup Quarter Final match at Brookvale Groby Learning Campus on Monday 28th January 2019 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

Groby Community College win 3-0 on penalties

Congratulations to both sides for an exciting game of football played in exceptional spirit. Groby Community College progress to the last four where they’ll host Horizon Community College, best of luck to both teams as they battle it out for a place in this seasons National Final!