The England U18 Schoolboys travelled to the SMH Group Stadium, to play their Scottish counterparts in both sides’ final SAFIB Centenary Shield game of the season. After getting off to a slow start in their defence of the trophy this season, England looked to build on their impressive 4-0 win v the Republic of Ireland last week and finish their season on a high with a good performance against the Scots.
The match started slowly with both sides trying to figure each other out, some fierce challenges and stern defending the highlights of the first 10 minutes. This all changed when England had their first chance of the game. A long ball from Captain, Jack Matton found Freddie Hayden running in behind the Scotland line, Hayden kept his cool and fired his shot between the legs of the onrushing Scotland Keeper.
The Scottish took only a minute to respond however, Jack Allen showed some great feet to find room for a shot which rocketed off the post and fell kindly to Flynn McKay, who slotted home just past the foot of Ryan Johnson in the England goal.
The remainder of the first half saw chances for both sides, Aaron Cocks causing Scotland all sorts of problems down the left with Jude Entwhistle forcing a number of saves from the Scotland keeper. The big moment came in first half stoppage time, Deacon Smalley whipping in a brilliant ball from a wide free kick and Freddie Hayden heading it in for his second of the evening to put England 2-1 up going into the break.
Scotland came out of the traps quickest in the second period, Stuart DcDowell’s effort thundering off the bar in the 48th minute. The pressure told in the 62nd minute when a Scotland corner was taken short to Matthew Falconer who put a brilliant ball into the box that was headed home by Reuben Cooper to make it 2-2.
The game continued to swing back and forwards, but it was England who scored next. Jonah Scutt, who had just come onto the field for his first minutes in the Centenary Shield this season after struggling with an injury, latched onto a loose ball in the box and fired home via a deflection to give England the lead once again.
With a nervous finish beckoning for the England boys, the player who had taken the armband for the final game, Jack Matton, outjumped everyone in the box to head home another fantastic delivery from Deacon Smalley to secure all 3 points for England.
A game full of twists and turns and a game that had the 1000+ fans in the SMH Group Stadium and the thousands watching at home on the edge of their seats, means England finish their Centenary Shield campaign on a high, giving the Manager, Luke Hampton, one last victory as his time as England Manager comes to an end.
Watch the full match back over on ESFA TV and below:
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.
