English Schools' Football Association

Southend Boys lift the Essex Minute Maid Cup

Essex Minute Maid U13 Schools Cup Final (Boys)
Southend High School for Boys 4
King John School 1
Venue: Chigwell School
Date: Saturday 16th December

Southend High School for Boys sealed success in the Minute Maid Schools Essex County Final (under-13 level) with a strong performance against Thundersley's King John School.

After a strong start King John opened the scoring in the fourth minute as Louise Baucutt half-volleyed home from an under hit Southend goal kick.

Yet despite their opponents' dominance of the early exchanges, Southend battled back and pressed hard to score two goals in response to gain the halftime advantage. Both Southend goals came from set piece corner routines that saw captain Josh Rees score carbon copy back post headers.

In the second half Southend continued to dictate the play but had to absorb the spirited efforts of a determined King John side searching for an equaliser. Southend keeper Tom Johnston was called upon to make several good saves.

However Southend were intent on adding to their tally and continued to break quickly from defence. In a sweeping attacking move Morgan Fox received the ball from Ben Garner down the left wing and lobbed the King John keeper to earn his side a two-goal cushion.

Fox's goal meant that he had scored in every round of this season's Essex cup, including four in the quarterfinal at Langdon Sports College! For results in this season's Essex County Cup, please see www.essexfa.com and follow links for SCHOOLS and then SCHOOLS CUPS.

Josh Rees, an Arsenal academy player, then rounded off the scoring for SHSB with his 3rd header form a corner, sealing a headed hat trick and his team's victory of the Essex County Cup.

After the match, SHSB coach Stephen Thomas note,"I'm very pleased for the team as they have worked hard to strengthen their weaknesses and make their links in the chain as strong as possible.

"We're now looking forward to the national cup draw in the new year. This has to be combined to the `sport for all `ethos at the school, as the boys play other sports. Next term they are in the basketball rugby, hockey and cross-country season at school. They turn their hand to the activity as it arrives. As you can see they turn their hand well to most sports!"

Southend Man of the match: Temi Ajayi (centre forward)

Southend High School for Boys Squad: 

Tom Johnston; Harry Grose; Mitchell Smith; Tom Olson; Ben Garner; Josh Rees (c) ; Morgan Fox; Jack Peters; Jared Brand; Temi Ayaji; James Morris; Alex Short; Ryan Whistler; Paul Burnell