English Schools' Football Association

Sefton & Reading Schoolboys battle
for possession in the 1st Leg of last
season's final held at Reading FC

Saturday (8 October) was the deadline for the First Round of matches to be completed in the English Schools' FA U15 Inter Association Trophy, sponsored by the National Union of Teachers for a second successive season.

York travelled to South Yorkshire to take on Sheffield as both teams looked to improve on last season's first round exits. Sheffield started the brighter with a stroke of good fortune after Alex Morris hit the upright, which rebounded of the keeper into the net after 14 minutes. Jonathan Askew doubled the score for Sheffield on 26 minutes with a glorious half volley from outside the area. Sheffield secured the victory with a second half free-kick which was converted by Josh Anmerson.

North Kent had similar success as they overcame West Essex & Harlow 4-0. A brace from Adam Burchill and further strikes from Adam Marsh and Daniel Ash saw North Kent progress to Round Two where they will entertain Waltham Forest.

Arguably, the result of the round was Cannock's 8-0 away victory over city Association side Leicester at Judgemeadow Community College. Goals from Richie Swanson, Dave Harvey, Ben Harbutt (2), Carlo Memoli (2), Richard Smith and Andy Roberts earned the Staffordshire outfit an away trip to South Notts in Round Two.

While England were preparing to take on Austria at Old Trafford on Saturday morning, City of Salford were battling it out with Barnsley just a stones throw from the Old Trafford Stadium. Barnsley had an excellent start and found themselves three goals up by the break thanks to two goals from Luke Harper and a single strike from Danny Barlow. After the break, Barnsley picked up from where they left off with further goals two goals from Daniel Morris.

U15 Trophy - Round One Results and Round Two Draw

Charter Standard Awards 2005

On Saturday 8 October at half-time of the England v Austria World Cup qualifier held at Old Trafford, six schools were honoured with the top Charter Standard Schools' Awards, presented by the FA Director of Football Development, Sir Trevor Brooking. The schools were (award in brackets):

Weatherfield Special School, Bedford (Special School)
St Aldhelms Combined School, Poole (Primary School)
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Wigan (Secondary School)
Cramlington Community High School, Northumberland (Secondary Development)
St George's Church of England School, Telford and Kirkley Specialist Sports College, Lowestoft (Sports Colleges)

The FA Charter Standard awards recognise clubs and schools that are dedicated to providing opportunities for players of all ages, gender, religion and ability.

Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA's Director of Football Development said:

We congratulate all of the award winners for their fantastic commitment to grassroots football. Now over 2500 FA Charter Standard clubs and 3500 schools around the country are committed to putting themselves at the heart of their local football communities, not only for existing participants but for future.