featured, Match Reports

ESFA Match Report Monday- Hodgson Academy vs St Joseph’s RC Academy

A hat-trick from Emma Siddall helped Hodgson Academy into the semi finals of the PlayStation F.C. U14 Schools cup for girls with a 6-0 win over St Joseph’s RC Academy. 

Following a period of bad weather the game was played on the 3G at Poolfoot Farm, the training complex of League 1 side Fleetwood Town and, ironically, played in bright sunshine! 

Despite the one sided look to the scoreline the visitors from South Tyneside had opportunities in a tight opening to the game but were eventually on the back foot as the home side took control of the tie before the break. As well as the Siddall treble there was a brace for Bella Hill and a goal from Sophie Horsfall to secure a home semi final tie with All Saints Catholic College of Huddersfield. 

Credit goes to St Joseph’s having won 5 games to reach the quarter final of a competition that started with over 300 teams but their run ended against a team that has now scored 48 goals in their 6 ties to date.

A big thank you to ThreeFiveThree photography for attending the games! if you want to see more great schools football images head over to their website here.

featured, Match Reports

ESFA Match reports- Goals galore in the rain!

As we all sit at home watching the rain fall outside we look back to two rain soaked afternoon’s in the North West of England earlier in this season’s competitions – where goals also rained down! 

Firstly we headed to Liverpool for a 2nd round cup tie as Maricourt Catholic High School played host to St Hildas Church of England School in torrential rain that put the game in doubt right up until kick-off. Despite St Hilda’s taking an early lead it was Maricourt who headed into the 3rd round with Anthony Tierney breaking his school’s record for a year 8 player with 6 goals in a 9-1 victory. 

Despite this there was a tremendous goalkeeping performance from St Hilda’s Liam Davies and his afternoon throwing himself around in the mud and rain did not go without reward as he picked up the PlayStation Schools Cup Save of the Month award.  

Then, in mid January, we once again boarded a train north, this time heading for Chester and within touching distance of the Welsh border we were greeted with heavy rain and wind. 

This was not the only déjà vu moment as the home side, Blacon High School, won by the same scoreline against Lacon Childe School from Shropshire with a flurry of late goals a little harsh on their visitors. 

Lacon actually started on the front foot and it took a while for the home side to hit their stride but goals from James Dunseath, Jack Swindley, Lewis Hopley and Jayden Stark-Rigby giving them a 4-1 lead at the break. 

Second half doubles for Lewis Ball and Leo Evans with a Harvey Nicholson goal sealed another high scoring win for Blacon as they eased into a quarter final spot with 28 goals in their 4 ties so far! 

Both matches were played in the right manner and all that was left was for this dripping wet photographer to try and dry out on the long and cold journey’s home…

A big thank you to ThreeFiveThree photography for attending the games! if you want to see more great schools football images head over to their website here.