Category: featured

ESFA Internationals, featured

SAFIB Centenary Shield – Wales v England

The English Schools' FA

The England Schoolboys’ second Centenary Shield fixture to be streamed live on the Channel 4 streaming app, as they take on Wales in the 2024 competition

The England U18 Schoolboys travel to Briton Ferry AFC on Thursday 28th March for their second fixture in the SAFIB Centenary Shield 2024. The match will be streamed live with full commentary via the Channel 4 streaming app and also on the ESFA’s YouTube Channel, ESFA TV. See former England Schoolboy, Joe Cole announcing the upcoming fixtures here.

After a disappointing start to their SAFIB Centenary Shield campaign, the England U18 Schoolboys look to get their first points on the board when they travel to face their Welsh Counterparts at Britton Ferry AFC on Thursday 28th March. England shared the Centenary Shield with Wales in 2023 and with the Welsh getting off to a good start to their defence of the trophy with a 4-2 win over Scotland, this is a crucial game for the young England players.

England kicked off the Centenary Shield on the 23rd February with an away trip to Northern Ireland, suffering a 3-0 defeat. You can watch the full replay of that fixture here and read all about it via the match report here.

After this upcoming trip to Wales, the England U18 Schoolboys will return to home soil to play the Republic of Ireland at Walsall FC on Friday 5th April before rounding off their campaign against Scotland at Chesterfield FC on Friday 12th April. These games will be streamed live via ESFA TV and tickets are available to purchase via our events page here.

Make sure to follow @schoolsfootball on Instagram for match updates and tune into the Channel 4 app or ESFA TV on YouTube to watch all the matches live from 6:45pm.

ESFA Internationals, featured

Match Report: Northern Ireland v England in SAFIB Bob Docherty Tournament

The English Schools' FA

The England U15 Schoolgirls kicked off their SAFIB Bob Docherty Tournament campaign in Athlone Town, Ireland, with a fixture against their Northern Irish Counterparts.

With Ireland claiming a 2-1 victory over Scotland earlier in the day, it was important for the England U15 Schoolgirls to start the tournament strong in their fixture v Northern Ireland. England started the game well with Emily Giddings breaking free down the left, her cross was pulled back to Dolly Reynolds in the middle who fired her shot just over the bar.

England kept up the early pressure, dominating the ball in midfield, with every player getting a good feel for the game in the early stages. Rachel McPeak’s headed effort just missed the target in the 13th minute as a corner from Dolly Reynolds saw multiple England players queuing at the back post.

English Schools Football Association U15 Schoolgirl Bob Docherty Tournament v Northern Ireland on Monday 25th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography
English Schools Football Association U15 Schoolgirl Bob Docherty Tournament v Northern Ireland on Monday 25th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography
English Schools Football Association U15 Schoolgirl Bob Docherty Tournament v Northern Ireland on Monday 25th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography
English Schools Football Association U15 Schoolgirl Bob Docherty Tournament v Northern Ireland on Monday 25th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

England took the lead in the 15th minute as Chloe Giddings was fouled taking on her marker and winning a penalty. Chloe stepped up to the spot and dispatched her spot kick, the power taking it past the touch from the goalkeeper. The rest of the half saw few chances for each side, with both defences on top for the remaining 15 minutes.

Northern Ireland came out strong in the second half, with their number 7 firing into the roof of the net from a tight angle, drawing the score level at 1-1.

Northern Ireland kept the pressure up on the England defence with keeper, Evie Mitchell being called into action to make a couple of great saves. The game saw chances at both ends before a climatic end to the tie; Chloe Giddings won her second penalty of the game after showing her quick feet in the box. Unfortunately the penalty was dragged just wide of the post with the last kick of the game.

English Schools Football Association U15 Schoolgirl Bob Docherty Tournament v Northern Ireland on Monday 25th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography
English Schools Football Association U15 Schoolgirl Bob Docherty Tournament v Northern Ireland on Monday 25th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

The game then went to penalty kicks to decide who got the extra, bonus point in accord with SAFIB competition rules. England won the shootout to give them two points from their first Bob Docherty tournament fixture.

England play the Republic of Ireland at 5pm tomorrow in their next fixture at Athlone Town FC. Make sure to follow the ESFA on Instagram (@schoolsfootball) for all the match updates.