ESFA Internationals, featured, Match Reports

England U15 Schoolgirls 2 -0 ISFA U16 Girls

The England U15 Schoolgirls travelled down to Surrey this weekend for their last friendly fixture of the season before the competitive Bob Docherty Cup commences during the Easter break. The impressive Charterhouse School was the venue for this fixture, with a brilliant playing surface allowing the England girls to show off their fluid attacking football. ISFA (Independent Schools’ Football Association) U16 Girls were the opposition, a good test for the England schoolgirls playing up an age group against an experienced and physical side.

Cecily Wellesley-Smith got the England side off to the best possible start with her long-range effort catching the keeper off-guard and finding the back of the net, making it 1-0 to England in the second minute. England continued to pile on the pressure, getting in behind the ISFA defence on numerous occasions, with strikes from Mia Endacott and Ruby Gaitely troubling the ISFA Keeper. ISFA came close to an equaliser mid-way through the first half, cannoning a free kick against the frame of Ashleigh Ridsdel- Harrison’s goal.

England extended their lead on the stroke of half time with some tidy play resulting in the ball being set back to Emily Cassap, 25 yards out, who found the top far corner with her left foot, giving the ISFA goalkeeper no chance. The half time whistle blew as the girls were celebrating this strike, with England manager Sian Williams making changes at half time to give the whole squad a run out.

The changes seemed to do very little to disrupt the England Schoolgirls’ rhythm, winning the ball back high up the pitch and getting numerous shots on the ISFA goal, which were well saved by the opposition keeper. This early second half pressure saw ISFA concede a flurry of corners which were put into good areas by England, but no one was able to get that final touch to extend the lead.

Blows were traded by both sides, but the best chance of the second half saw Isobel Young dart down the left to the by line and pull a ball across to Mia Endacott in the middle, who’s shot was deflected over the bar.

The match concluded England U15 Schoolgirls 2-0 ISFA U16 Schoolgirls, a great test for England ahead of their international competitive fixtures in the Bob Docherty Cup which starts on Monday 11th April.

England Bob Docherty fixtures will be available to watch live on our YouTube Channel, ESFA TV and stay tuned on our social channels, following @Schoolsfootball for more information.

To purchase any photos from the game, please contact ThreeFiveThree Photography. For any media enquiries please contact Jacob Blades on [email protected].

ESFA Internationals, featured, International Football, Match Reports

England U18 Schoolboys 3-3 ISFA U18 Schoolboys

Another excellent test for the England U18 Schoolboys in their final warm-up fixture before their inspiresport Centenary Shield campaign kicks off on Saturday 25th March.

The magnificent Shrewsbury School was the venue and the Independent Schools FA representative side were the opponents, in a game that was full of attacking intent from the kick-off.

ISFA were the first to threaten with pressure around the England goalmouth but, ultimately, no clear cut chances to threaten Harvey Keogh’s goal.

Almost inevitably the opening goal was scored by Josh Stones for England.A well worked moved started on the left with Noah Carney spreading the ball right to Freddie Legg who supplied a pass down the line for Matty Dopson to cross into the box with Stones stooping to head past the ISFA keeper for a 10th minute lead.

The lead was almost doubled moments later as the ISFA goal led a charmed life with the ball somehow staying out of the net.

Another move down the right saw Legg’s cross just nicked away from Carney 8 yards out but the loose ball fell to Jack Bates whose shot was headed off the line, with Legg’s follow up saved and the ball eventually cleared to safety.

Moments later, Stones crossed for Legg who steered the ball back across the 6 yard box, but the ISFA keeper dived to intercept before Carney would almost have certainly prodded the ball home for a second goal.

The half continued in the same vein with half chances at either end, the ISFA side failing to take advantage of a number of set pieces and Keogh in the England goal making a save from close range before collecting the subsequent corner to quash another attack.

Jack Bates curled a dangerous free-kick into the home penalty area and it somehow avoided the glut of players in the 6 yard box. Soon after Bates saw a free-kick sail over the wall and crossbar from 25 yards out.

Just before the break England doubled their lead as Stones made space to shoot low past the keeper for a 2-0 half time lead.

Numerous changes at the start of the second half certainly disrupted England’s rhythm, as did the early ISFA goal had them back in the game just couple of minutes into the half.

Both Bailey Hall and Thomas Gruzewski put crosses into the box from either flank but England failed to restore the 2 goal cushion and paid the price when ISFA drew level with a shot into the top corner from just inside the box.

Again the chances were thin on the ground despite plenty of promise in the middle third of the park but England appeared to have snatched a late win when a free-kick into the box caused mayhem, Stones saw his shot blocked but the ball fell into the path of Hugh Cullum who smashed the ball into the net from close range.

ISFA were not to be denied though and grabbed a late equaliser with a sequence of head tennis inside the box ending with a close range header into the net for a 3-3 draw, preserved by a late fingertip save from Josh Mazfari in the England goal as the clock ticked down.

A fair result in the end and a big thank you to ISFA and Shrewsbury School for hosting as well as to all those who came to support the teams.

Next up for England is the opening Centenary Shield game in Belfast against Northern Ireland in just under 3 weeks time which marks the first of their four successive Friday night international fixtures.

Match report and photos supplied by 353 Photography

To purchase any photos from the game, please contact ThreeFiveThree Photography. For any media enquiries please contact Jacob Blades on [email protected].