throwback – English Schools' Football Association

ESFA official photographer Garry Griffiths has been up and down the country this season covering ESFA National cup ties from the first rounds, all the way to the semi final stage. In the lead up to ESFA national finals in May, the ESFA will be looking back at some of the games he has covered throughout the season and shining the spotlight on as many teams as possible involved in ESFA National Cup Competitions.

ESFA Playstation F.C. U14 Schools’ Cup Round 1

Moreton School 0 Wombourne High School 4 – 21st September 2021

Our season opener took us a short drive to Wolverhampton for the opening round tie in the Boys Under 14 competition as Moreton School hosted Wombourne High School.

The first point of order was the installation of some new goal nets after the local wildlife had decided to have a nibble at the old ones – probably the cleanest nets we have seen at a schools cup tie, straight out of the packaging and into action!

A delayed journey for the visitors across to Wolverhampton meant a later than expected start but we were soon underway although neither side were able to hit those newly installed nets and the game went into the break level at 0-0.

It took Wombourne High School just seconds to correct that though as a shot into the far corner gave them the lead with the first attack of the second half with a second goal putting them in command of the tie.

The home side didn’t let their heads drop though and pushed for a way back into the game, the woodwork denying them a goal as the visitors goal led a charmed life.

Two further goals, the last one with the final kick of the game, gave the score line a harsh look for Moreton School but it was a deserved win for Wombourne High School to progress into round two.

ESFA Playstation F.C. U12 Elite Schools’ Cup- Round 1

Riddlesdown Collegiate 5 Wilsons School 2 (AET)– 24th September 2021

Towards the end of the same week we headed south for what turned out to be a classic U12 Elite cup tie between Riddlesdown Collegiate and Wilsons School.

The home side had plenty of pressure and chances but a stubborn defensive performance from the visitors kept Riddlesdown at bay and, despite edging in front twice, they were pegged back to send the game into extra time after finishing 2-2 at full time.

Both sides had chances to win the game late on with some heart stopping moments for both sides – who would be a schools football team manager?!

The extra time period made all the difference as the home side eventually took advantage of their persistent pressure with 3 goals finally seeing them into round two although credit must go to Wilsons for an excellent display in defeat with hard work and determination throughout the team.

A brilliant start to the season with our next stop a week long trip to Devon – stay tuned for that report coming soon!

A huge thank you to Garry Griffiths for providing this report and the photos. Please contact ThreeFiveThree Photography to have your ESFA cup tie featured!

The English Schools' FA

The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.

With the 2019 England squads’ international journeys cut short and ahead of the 20/21 squad selections, we’re going on our travels with ESFA photographer, Garry Griffiths (353 Photography), to recount some of the International action he managed to capture back in 2016

Today’s “˜Throwback Thursday’ sees us jump into the time machine and back to 2016 when we tasted international success with both the Girls U15 and Boys U18 squads etching their name on silverware.

England U15 Girls 1 – 0 ROI U15 Girls
Bob Docherty Cup Final 2016

The Bob Docherty Cup was held in South Wales and England’s girls went into the final game against the Republic of Ireland having claimed their place in the title decider with 2-0 wins over Wales, with goals from Katie Robinson and Sophie Quirk, and then Scotland as Ellie Hack and Jodie Hutton hit the target.

In a close and tense final there would be just one goal that settled it and that came from Holly Manders in the second half as the England girls held on to lift the trophy in front of a large travelling army of England supporters – even a torrential downpour seconds after the presentation could not dampen the spirits after a tough 3 days of competition in Newport.

England U18 Boys 2 – 2 Republic of Ireland
Centenary Shield Final 2016

Just 3 days earlier, at Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium, the Under 18 Boys had put themselves in pole position for the Centenary Shield title with their third win of the competition, a 2-1 win over Scotland thanks to a brace from Aaron Smith.

The late winner at Fleetwood ensured the lads went into the final game with the Republic of Ireland on the back of three successive 2-1 wins having beaten Northern Ireland (scorers Joe Thomas and Zak Lilley) and Wales (scorers George Lamb and Aaron Smith) before the win over the Auld Enemy.

It proved not to be the latest goal of the international season though, the following week saw the Republic take a 2-0 lead before Smith was again on target to halve the deficit before substitute Sam Grouse bundled home a dramatic equaliser in injury time to break Irish hearts and hand England the shield.