English Schools' Football Association

Worksop & Retford 2
Poole & East Dorset 2

There is still everything to play for in next Thursday's 2nd leg at AFC Bournemouth after a thrilling 2-2 draw between two small Associations who well deserve their place in this season's final. The game was marked by the number of shots at goal which, after a slow first ten minutes during which the sides overcame their understandable tension, at some stages of the game came almost every minute.

The first effort on goal came from the visitors, Poole and East Dorset, but it had insufficient power to trouble Anthony Crump in the home side's goal.  Worksop and Retford had a strong breeze behind them but this was of little help as they frequently found the ball running away from them.

It was Lewis Bingham who had the first real opportunity for Worksop but after a good move down the right involving Craig Gladwin and Daniel Fox, his shot was straight at keeper Scott Wilson. Wilson was again well positioned to deal with a long range shot by Conor Higginson but was untroubled when in the home side's next attack, Gladwin shot over from a good position.

Poole and East Dorset's main outlet was striker Matt Kemble whose pace, movement and shooting power caused the Worksop and Retford defence problems throughout the game.  He had limited support, however, and was usually well covered by centre backs, Brandon Shaw and Perry Jones while the excellent Sam Hall covered attacks down the left wing.

At the other end, Poole's central defenders, Matt Gardiner and Matt Oldring also coped well with the clever movements of the Worksop attack.  A good run from midfield by Fox, however, saw him go past three defenders but his weak finish was straight at Wilson.  Hall and Gladwin then created a chance for Higginson which he headed agonisingly wide before play switched to the other end where Ben Reeves had an effort just blocked by a defender.

The excitement continued apace as both sides went all out for the first goal with Higginson and Croucher both hitting shots just wide and then Kemble chased down a ball which Crump, attempting to kick clear outside his area, missed completely and shot towards an empty net but White headed off the line.

As half-time approached, Croucher and two defenders chased a bouncing ball into the penalty box and the Worksop player forced his way past them and poked the ball past the advancing Wilson ran it into the net to put his side ahead.  Their lead lasted just three minutes as in time added on, Poole and East Dorset's Ashley Ayley scored a similar goal, taking full advantage of a misunderstanding between Crump and two defenders.

The pattern of all out attack by both sides continued after the break.  The skilful and dangerous Higginson had a shot deflected just wide and after a quickly taken throw in which caught out the Poole defence, Wilson did well to block Croucher's effort.  It was Poole and East Dorset who took the lead, however, midway through the second half when the impressive Kemble broke through the middle and although Crump half-saved his shot, Tom Webb, following up well, stroked the ball into an empty net.

This silenced the vociferous home crowd but did not stop the team continuing to press forward with high quality passing and movement although the equaliser came from a long ball.  Full back White hit a fine ball and Croucher timed his run to perfection, reaching the ball before the keeper to head home from ten yards out.

Another ten minute passage of almost non-stop goal attempts followed in what almost became the 'Higginson, Croucher and Kemble show' although Charlie Tubbs came closest when it took a brilliant save by Crump to prevent him regaining the lead for Poole and East Dorset.

The game ended with two desperate scrambles in the Dorset side's goalmouth with Wilson again to the rescue in added time when he dived on a poked effort by Curtis White to leave his team marginally more satisfied with the result.

Worksop and Retford manager Del Rew, although regretting the many near misses, was proud of the way his side played while Poole and East Dorset's Gavin Rusling was full of praise for the fighting qualities and skill of both sides.

Worksop and Retford

Anthony Crump (Valley)
Sam Hall (Elizabethan)
Curtis White (Tuxford)
Danile Fox (Portland)
Perry Jones (Valley)
Brandon Shaw (Dukeries)
Lewis Bingham (Dukeries)
Sam Stretton (Dukeries) (captain)
Conor Higginson (Dukeries)
Lewis Croucher (All Saints)
Craig Gladwin (Valley)
Tom Mullen (Serlby Park)
Curt Smith (Valley)
Ross Stalworthy (Valley)
Tom Hunt (Valley)
Dominic Hammond (Dukeries)

Poole and East Dorset

Scott Wilson (Ashdown)
Patrick James (Corfe Hills)
Aaron Bleach (Ferndown)
Matt Oldring (Ferndown)
Matt Gardiner (Corfe Hills)
Sam Ball (Corfe Hills)
Ashley Ayley (Ashdown)
Luke Burbidge (Corfe Hills)
Tom Webb (Ferndown)
Matt Kemble (Ferndown)
Ben Reeves (Queen Elizabeth's)
Alex Roberts (Queen Elizabeth's)
Sean Rowles-Smith (Poole Grammar)
Dan McPhillimy (Poole Grammar)
Charlie Tubbs (Purbeck)
Grant Sharp (Ashdown)