ESFA Internationals, featured

England U15 Schoolgirls victorious in first game of Eindhoven Training Camp

England’s Schoolgirls got their training camp off to a winning start with a 2-0 win over UVVA in Utrecht on Sunday afternoon.

After a weather affected journey to the Netherlands it was a bright and early start for the trip North but there was no sign of tiredness as the girls began the game on the front foot.

Tori Almond and Kate Oakley had already seen goals chalked off for offside before Almond finally took advantage of a through ball to skip round the keeper and roll the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.

With the strong wind causing a few problems it was England who could have extended their lead before the break but  Isabelle Wade just failed to connect with her header when a cross held up in the wind 8 yards out.

The second half saw a number of changes to the team but with a swirling wind in their face the chances for free flowing football were few and far between and the home side could have drawn level with a wind assisted shot that clipped the outside of the post.

It was left for two of the substitutes, Lucy Cooper and Megan Sofield, to settle the result late on when the former forced the Dutch defence into a mistake which allowed her to cross for Sofield to side foot home from 6 yards out.

All in all a satisfactory afternoon’s work for the girls who ended the afternoon with a tour of the KNVB Campus, home of the Dutch National football teams, before returning to their hotel to relax before their next game on Tuesday evening.

Photo Credit: 353 Photography  

ESFA Internationals, featured, International Football, Uncategorized

England U15 Schoolgirls vs ISFA Girls- Match Report

The England Schoolgirls got their international programme off to a positive start with a 2-2 draw against their Independent Schools’ FA counterparts.

English Schools Football Association U15 Girls v ISFA U16 at Charterhouse School on Sunday 12th January 2020 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

After receiving their kits for the upcoming campaign, the squad took to the immaculate surface at Charterhouse School for their first match together since the final squad selection was made in December.

Rebecca Ferguson took the captain’s armband as the England girls settled into their stride early on, creating pressure down both flanks with Leoni Telford and Delphi Cole looking dangerous down the right hand side and Lucy Cooper testing the full back down the left hand side.

Although clear chances were few early on, it was Cole who saw her strike from just inside the box gathered by the home keeper, but shortly after, Megan Sofield stepped up to convert a penalty awarded after a foul just inside the area.

ISFA drew level shortly before the interval but early in the 2nd half Poppy Pritchard was quickest to a through ball in the box and slotted home into the empty net, leaving the defender and keeper stranded.

The home side drew level later in the half and that was the end of the scoring for the afternoon in what was a very competitive outing for both teams.

The girls will now prepare for their trip to Eindhoven for their half term training camp, a key part of the preparation for April’s Bob Docherty Cup tournament in Wales.

Thanks to ISFA and Charterhouse School for hosting the fixture and to all parents for their support on the day.

Thank you to 353 Photography for capturing the game, more images available over on their website