ESFA Internationals – Page 2 – English Schools' Football Association

The England U18 Schoolboys travelled to Llandarcy Park in Neath on Thursday 28^th March for their second SAFIB Centenary Shield fixture of the 2024 season. The England boys needed a positive result in this game, to stay in with a chance of retaining the Shield which they shared with Wales last season.

Wales v England in a Under 18 Schoolboys SAFIB Centenary Shield match at Llandarcy Sports Academy on Thursday 28th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

The First chance of the match saw Jude Entwhistle set free down the right, his cross into the box almost found Toby Nelson, but an unfortunate bobble took it just beyond his reach. Wales’ first chance of the game fell to Ellis Sage after nudging Josh Thynne off the ball and slotting home just past the right leg of England Captain, James Taylor in goal.

Wales doubled their lead in the 18^th minute, the ball played out to Ellis Sage once again who fired low between the legs of the England Keeper.

England came as close as you can to an equaliser in the 24^th minute. A corner from Toby Nelson caused chaos in the box, with Nathaniel Osborne in the Welsh goal making three brilliant saves from Jude Entwhistle and Kai Adams before the ball found Toby Nelson on the edge of the box. His curling shot was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by the Welsh Keeper.

Wales had a golden chance to make it three when Sage got through once again, this time he decided to square the ball to Owen who couldn’t quite get a touch to turn it goal-wards.

Wales v England in a Under 18 Schoolboys SAFIB Centenary Shield match at BP Llandarcy on Thursday 28th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

The first major chance of the second half fell to Kai Adams after a ball in from Deacon Smalley found him on the penalty spot, but his header was wide of the target.

England pulled one back in the 62^nd minute with Freddie Haden having just come onto the pitch, running to the by-line, and pulling back to Jude Entwhistle, who took a touch and fired home. England now had all the momentum and were looking for a second, loading pressure on the Welsh defence. Freddie Haden continued to cause problems down the wings and Jude Entwhistle got close to a second on numerous occasions.

Wales got their third, after a brilliant strike from Ieuan Owen beat James Taylor from over 30 yards, his finish rocketing into the top corner.

Full time and the game finished 3-1. England’s chances in the SAFIB Centenary Shield are now over for this season, Wales have a huge game coming up v Northern Ireland for a chance to lift the trophy this season.

The England U18 Schoolboys travel to Walsall FC next Friday (5^th April) for their first home fixture v Republic of Ireland. The week after (Friday 12^th April) they host Scotland at Chesterfield FC to round off their Centenary Shield Campaign for 2024.

Buy your tickets for these fixtures here.

The English Schools' FA

The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.

The England U15 Schoolgirls win the SAFIB Bob Docherty Tournament following a 1-1 draw with Scotland.

English Schools Football Association U15 Schoolgirl Bob Docherty Tournament v Scotland at Athlone Town Stadium on Thursday 28th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

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.

March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

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 English Schools' FA

The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.

Category: ESFA Internationals

Match Report: SAFIB Centenary Shield – England v Wales

Match Report: England v Scotland as England win the SAFIB Bob Docherty Tournament

The England U15 Schoolgirls win the SAFIB Bob Docherty Tournament following a 1-1 draw with Scotland.