A truly exceptional game of ESFA National Cup football in Solihull as the home side upset last season’s U15 Elite Cup champions Thomas Telford.
The game was played at a frantic pace throughout and it was the home side who broke the deadlock when Sullivan bundled home a low cross from close range and, just moments later, they could have doubled that lead from a similar position but this time the post came to Telford’s rescue.
Visiting keeper Sheward, kept out a close range header from a corner but he could do nothing to keep out a fierce drive from the edge of the box, Begley firing home after Telford failed to clear a corner to double the St Peter’s lead.
The visitors grabbed a much needed lifeline shortly before the break, the ball swept home from close range after good work down the left to open up the home defence.
If we thought a Telford comeback was on the cards, the home side did more than enough to quash that rumour by dominating the start of the second half and extending their lead to 4-1.
A fine header from 12 yards by Simpson was followed by Pearce taking advantage of hesitation at the back to stroke the ball into the net and give St Peters a commanding lead which could have been even greater had it not been for a world class save from the visitors keeper Sheward.
The visitors had to step up a gear and gave themselves hope with Roberts smashing in a sensational free-kick from long range to cut the lead to 4-2 and, with tensions growing, Kandola’s looping header from a corner found the far corner with almost 10 minutes left to play.
Despite the visitors putting pressure on in the final third of the field they were unable to create an equaliser and St Peters held on to claim an upset win and progress to a 2nd round tie with Northampton School for Boys who, ironically, were runners-up to Thomas Telford in that U15 Elite final in May.
Congratulations to both sides on providing an excellent afternoon’s entertainment.
Congratulations to both teams involved! If you would like us to feature your ESFA schools’ cup fixture, Please send your match report alongside pictures of the game to [email protected] – alternatively, please feel free to contact 353 Photography to request his presence at your upcoming match.
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.
