English Schools' Football Association

Nottinghamshire’s Under 16 Girls’ representative squad progressed to the 2nd Round of the re-vamped English Schools’ FA Inter County Tophy with a hard fought 1-0 extra time win over Lincolnshire at Collingham. Lincolnshire had the better of the early exchanges with Anna Meiwald dominating midfield but some excellent defending from the home back four of Eleanor Clarke, Beth Witham, Laura-Jane O’Neill and Paige Wilson kept them at bay. Nottinghamshire had two early escapes with goalkeeper Emily Wragg making a brave diving save at the feet of Megan Collins although the effort would not have counted because of an offside decision.

Neither side otherwise could seriously trouble Wragg or Lincolnshire’s Sophie Harris during a first half when the forwards of both sides were well controlled by the defences. The midfield battle was slightly in Lincolnshire’s favour as they had the advantage of the wind.

With the wind behind them, Notts improved considerably and looked more threatening. Some clever passing which switched play from left to right brought three good chances for Grace Abbott but with one exception, she could not get sufficient power in her shots to trouble Harris, although the latter did well to block the best effort. Harris made an outstanding save from Katie Waddell wile Wragg matched this with a similar dive at the other end.

Notts had a narrow escape when a 30 yard free-kick beat Wragg but Beth Witham with a great leap headed off the line. The Notts back four continued to shine with Clarke and O’Neill outstanding in the middle but despite the efforts of Chelsea Smart and Hayley Downes in midfield, Notts lacked the physical strength to break through a strong Lincolnshire side so the game went into extra time.

A penalty shoot-out seemed likely but four minutes from time, Nottinghamshire made the break-through. Beth Witham took a corner on the right and although it was slightly mis-directed, it found Katie Waddell who turned brilliantly and rifled home a shot from 12 yards into the far corner of the net.

TEAMS

Nottinghamshire: Emily Wragg (Becket); Paige Wilson (Orchard House); Beth Witham (Col. Frank Seely). Eleanor Clarke (Sutton Centre), Laura-Jane O’Neill (Christ the King), Shannon Brooks (Valley); Grace Abbott (Rushcliffe), Hayley Downes (Becket), Katie Waddell (Arnold Hill), Emma Walker (Elizabethan), Chelsea Smart (Gedling),Ann Marie Thomson (Valley), Amy Dawson (Serlby Park), Claire Potter (Arnold Hill), Sophie Davies (Gedling)

Linccolnshire: Sophie Harris (North Kesteven); Emily Harris (William Farr), Billie Brooks (Haven High), Lottie Christie (Robert Manning), Beth Scaril (Kirton Lindsey), Abby Young (St. Bedes), Emily Roberts (Monks Dyke), Sarah Beal (Skegness Grammar), Beth Goodman (Bourne Grammar), Anna Meiwald (Monks Dyke), Akvile Gerbenyte, megan Collins (St. Georgres), Martha Harris (William Farr), Paige Wright (Haven High), Leanne Malcolmson (The Deepings)