Tag: schoolboys

ESFA Internationals

Match Report: SAFIB Centenary Shield – England v Wales

The English Schools' FA

The England U18 Schoolboys travelled to Llandarcy Park in Neath on Thursday 28th March for their second SAFIB Centenary Shield fixture of the 2024 season. The England boys needed a positive result in this game, to stay in with a chance of retaining the Shield which they shared with Wales last season.

Wales v England in a Under 18 Schoolboys SAFIB Centenary Shield match at Llandarcy Sports Academy on Thursday 28th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

The First chance of the match saw Jude Entwhistle set free down the right, his cross into the box almost found Toby Nelson, but an unfortunate bobble took it just beyond his reach. Wales’ first chance of the game fell to Ellis Sage after nudging Josh Thynne off the ball and slotting home just past the right leg of England Captain, James Taylor in goal.

Wales doubled their lead in the 18th minute, the ball played out to Ellis Sage once again who fired low between the legs of the England Keeper.

England came as close as you can to an equaliser in the 24th minute. A corner from Toby Nelson caused chaos in the box, with Nathaniel Osborne in the Welsh goal making three brilliant saves from Jude Entwhistle and Kai Adams before the ball found Toby Nelson on the edge of the box. His curling shot was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by the Welsh Keeper.

Wales had a golden chance to make it three when Sage got through once again, this time he decided to square the ball to Owen who couldn’t quite get a touch to turn it goal-wards.

Wales v England in a Under 18 Schoolboys SAFIB Centenary Shield match at BP Llandarcy on Thursday 28th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography
Wales v England in a Under 18 Schoolboys SAFIB Centenary Shield match at BP Llandarcy on Thursday 28th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

The first major chance of the second half fell to Kai Adams after a ball in from Deacon Smalley found him on the penalty spot, but his header was wide of the target.

England pulled one back in the 62nd minute with Freddie Haden having just come onto the pitch, running to the by-line, and pulling back to Jude Entwhistle, who took a touch and fired home. England now had all the momentum and were looking for a second, loading pressure on the Welsh defence. Freddie Haden continued to cause problems down the wings and Jude Entwhistle got close to a second on numerous occasions.

Wales v England in a Under 18 Schoolboys SAFIB Centenary Shield match at BP Llandarcy on Thursday 28th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography
Wales v England in a Under 18 Schoolboys SAFIB Centenary Shield match at Llandarcy Sports Academy on Thursday 28th March 2024 (c) Garry Griffiths | ThreeFiveThree Photography

Wales got their third, after a brilliant strike from Ieuan Owen beat James Taylor from over 30 yards, his finish rocketing into the top corner.

Full time and the game finished 3-1. England’s chances in the SAFIB Centenary Shield are now over for this season, Wales have a huge game coming up v Northern Ireland for a chance to lift the trophy this season.

The England U18 Schoolboys travel to Walsall FC next Friday (5th April) for their first home fixture v Republic of Ireland. The week after (Friday 12th April) they host Scotland at Chesterfield FC to round off their Centenary Shield Campaign for 2024.

Buy your tickets for these fixtures here.

ESFA Internationals

Match Report: SAFIB Centenary Shield – Northern Ireland v England

The English Schools' FA

Northern Ireland and England U18 Schoolboy squads kick off the SAFIB Centenary Shield 2024

The 2024 SAFIB Centenary Shield kicked off on Friday 23rd February, with England U18 Schoolboys looking to retain the trophy they shared with Wales in 2023. However, it was to be a tough start for the team, with Northern Ireland U18 Schoolboys recording an emphatic 3-0 win at the Danny Blanchflower Stadium in Belfast. After a quiet and goalless first half, Northern Ireland produced an impressive second half performance to make the perfect start to their Centenary Shield campaign.

After a scrappy and uneventful first 20 minutes, the first big chance came for Northern Ireland. Forward, Karter Bond found himself 1-on-1 after a brilliant through-ball, but was thwarted by England keeper, James Taylor who rushed out of goal to close the angle and make the save. Following the chance, Northern Ireland continued to push forward and look the more likely to score, with England struggling to trouble the Northern Ireland defence. However, England rallied in the final 10 minutes, forcing a number of shots on the Northern Irish goal and corners into the box, before the conclusion of the first half.

Northern Ireland came out on the front foot for the second half, with defender, Harry Lynch flicking his header just wide of goal in the 47th minute. Northern Ireland continued to put pressure on the England defence and found their reward in the 55th minute. Senan Devine whipped a corner towards the penalty spot to find Michael Harkin, who struck it into the bottom-left corner with a fantastic bicycle-kick to open the scoring.

The second goal was to come 10 minutes later, with another corner causing problems for England. Alfie Gaston placed the corner into the middle of the area, and substitute, Jack Hastings hit home for Northern Ireland after the ball was dropped by England keeper, Taylor. It was to go from bad to worse for England just 4 minutes later, with a 3rd goal for Northern Ireland in the 69th minute. After winning the ball in midfield, James Douglas surged forward and found the bottom corner with a strike from the edge of the box.

As the game came towards a close, England continued to push forward, but the home team defence was proving difficult to break down. England came closest when Arran Cocks broke away on the right hand side in the 80th minute and hit a dangerous cross across the box which forward, Jude Entwistle was inches away from.

The opening fixture of the 2024 SAFIB Centenary Shield finished with an impressive Northern Ireland U18 Schoolboys’ team triumphing 3-0 over joint-holders, England U18 Schoolboys. England will look to bounce back from this defeat, when they travel to Wales for their next fixture on 28th March. To purchase tickets for England’s upcoming home fixtures at Walsall FC and Chesterfield FC, click here.

The full Northern Ireland v England fixture is available to view on the ESFA’s YouTube Channel and below:

Photo credit: 353 Photography