Category: Match Reports

ESFA Internationals, featured, Match Reports

Bob Docherty Cup match report: England v Republic of Ireland

The English Schools' FA

England Under 15 Schoolgirls were beaten 4-1 by the Republic of Ireland in their second game of the Bob Docherty Cup in Newcastle. Niamh Boothroyd was on target for the home side, but it wasn’t enough to make it two wins from two. There will be a two-day break before the finals commence on Thursday.

Whilst Ireland dominated the possession in the early stages, it was England who had the first chance of the game. A clever ball from Emily Cassap found its way into Niamh Boothroyd, who’s left footed shot was saved by Clodagh Fitzgerald in the Ireland goal. Moments later, Fitzgerald would be called into action again. As a free kick was launched into the box, it looked to be falling into the path of Cassap, only for the Irish stopper to get there first.

With over 20 minutes of the half gone, England looked to be the side most likely to score, Boothroyd cleverly rounded Fitzgerald, only for her touch to be too heavy and the chance went begging. Despite England’s pressure, it was Ireland who struck first, just after half an hour into the game. A corner was floated into the centre of the box and Orlaith Doherty was on hand to bundle the ball home and give Ireland the lead.

England looked to hit back straight away as Taya Pomfret tested Fitzgerald from distance. The half time whistle sounded, and England could count themselves a little unlucky to go into the break behind. Despite dominating the possession for the early stages of the second half, England didn’t manage to create any clear openings, with the Irish defence proving tough to break down.

In similar fashion to the first goal, Ireland won themselves a corner against the run of play, this time Chloe Wallace was on hand to fire the ball home. England’s heads didn’t drop, and they continued to see most of the ball, but again Ireland refused to let them have any sight on goal. An error in the middle of the park saw Ireland’s captain Hannah Healy break forward, she found herself one on one with the goalkeeper and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

At three goals down England seemed to have a mountain to climb, however they did find a glimmer of hope with ten minutes remaining. The ball fell kindly to Boothroyd on the edge of the box, who without hesitation fired the ball past Fitzgerald into the back of the net.

However, before England had a chance to find another, Ireland restored their three-goal lead. A long ball forward caused problems in the defence and Doherty found herself through on goal, she was forced wide but managed to whip a cross into the box. The ball fell to Leah McGrath on the edge of the box and her left footed drive found the bottom corner to put the result beyond all doubt.

England again tried to break down the Ireland defence to no avail. Ireland comfortably saw out what was a convincing win over an England side who may be scratching their heads as to how they lost this one.

The side will now have a two day break before the finals commence on Thursday.

Photo credits: 353 Photography

ESFA Internationals, featured, Match Reports

Bob Docherty Cup match report: England v Northern Ireland

The English Schools' FA

England Under 15 Schoolgirls started their Bob Docherty campaign in style, beating Northern Ireland 4-0 at Cochrane Park in Newcastle. An Emily Cassap brace, along with goals from Mia Endacott and Niamh Boothroyd saw England to a comfortable win.

England started the game the stronger of the two sides, with a half-chance falling to Emily Cadell within the first ten minutes. Some smart defending from Ireland would see them clear the danger, but England had made an encouraging start to the game. Moments later the England pressure paid off, as Endacott set off on a winding run, she found Cassap in a yard of space. Cassap took a touch before firing into the top corner from long range and England’s early pressure had paid off.

England would continue to dominate the possession as they took control of the game. After 25 minutes a corner was flashed into the box with only a touch needed to send the ball goalward. However, it evaded everyone, and Northern Ireland remained just one goal behind.

As half time approached, England broke forward once again through Endacott who was finding space out wide. As she whipped a cross in, the ball dipped and nearly found its way into the back of the net, only for it to rattle the woodwork and the deficit remained at one goal.

England went into the half-time break a goal ahead and would question how they didn’t lead by more. The second half started as the first one finished, with England pushing to double their lead. Some clever play from Isobel Young down the left looked to have created an opening for the hosts, only for her cross to flash wide of the post.

England wouldn’t have it all their own way though, as Macey Conway found herself one on one with Ashleigh Ridsdel-Harrison in the England goal. However, her tame effort was easily saved by the England stopper. Ten minutes into the second half, England found their second as Taya Pomfret found Endacott in the box. Endacott kept her composure and rounded the goalkeeper before firing home to double the England lead.

It wouldn’t take long for England to make it three. An Amelia Freeman cross was only half cleared by the defence. The ball fell to Cassap on the edge of the area, who’s left footed effort found the back of the net for her second of the afternoon.

With 20 minutes left to play, neither side managed to fashion any chances, with England happy to control the ball. As the game entered its closing stages, England turned the screw once more. This time Cassap turned provider and found Boothroyd outside of the area. Her right footed effort looped over the Northern Ireland stopper and found the back of the net.

It was England’s fourth of the afternoon and it rounded off a brilliant performance in their Bob Docherty Cup opener.

Photo credits: 353 Photography