On Sunday the 11th February, both the England u15 Schoolgirls and England U18 Schoolboys played their first friendly fixtures of the season against their Independent Schools’ FA (ISFA) counterparts. These fixtures were part of their preparatory training camps hosted at St Georges Park from 9th – 12th February.
Match reports for both fixtures can be found below:
England U15 Schoolgirls 4 – 1 ISFA U15 Girls
The England U15 Schoolgirls recovered from an early setback to impress with a 4-1 win over ISFA, at their St George’s Park training camp on Sunday.
A slip at the back allowed ISFA to take an early lead but England were soon on the front foot and when Macie Halsall found herself in space 22 yards out, she struck a fine low shot to equalise. Captain, Chloe Giddings then put England ahead with a lovely touch and turn in the box, allowing her space to fire a left footed shot into the far top corner to end the first of three periods 2-1 in front.
A scoreless second period saw ISFA go close to levelling with a shot scrambled off the goal line with Halsall close at the other end, firing just over after being put through on goal by her Captain. The third and final period saw England move 3-1 ahead when Lily Jaynes fired in from long range and it was no surprise when a 4th goal was added late on, Emily Giddings converting a cross at the far post to join her twin sister on the scoresheet.
An excellent and energetic performance from the girls with a well deserved win – a fine way to end the last evening of training camp.
England U18 Schoolboys 1 – 3 ISFA
In a highly competitive fixture, the England Schoolboys fell to a 3-1 defeat to their ISFA counterparts and will rue missed chances in their first game together since being selected back in December.
James Taylor returned for his second spell in the squad and captained the side, leading from the front with a couple of smart saves before a slick ISFA move saw the visitors take the lead, with a close range shot from a low cross.
The lead was then doubled from the penalty spot before Ollie Spicer fired a fine, low shot into the bottom corner to bring England back in the game. His goal came shortly after the visitors had cleared a corner off the line, and was followed by a Toby Nelson drive from the edge of the box which flew just over the bar.
The second half saw England miss a chance to level when three players converged on a corner to the back post, but somehow the ball was cleared. ISFA then extended their lead from a set piece of their own, a free header from a corner making it 1-3 early in the second half.
That proved to be the final goal of the evening, although England did have chances to level; Jonah Scutt’s header somehow not finding the net and Charlie Wooding seeing a curling effort from the edge of the box tipped round the post by the keeper.
A decent first performance overall in a good, competitive game provided enough food for thought for the management team ahead of their opening Centenary Shield fixture away, to Northern Ireland, in just under 2 weeks time.
Photo credit: 353 Photography
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.