English Schools' Football Association

N. Ireland v England

The England Under 18 Schoolboys got their 2010 SAFIB Centenary Shield campaign off to a flying start on Friday afternoon, when they defeated their hosts 4-1 at Crusaders FC.

The match was originally scheduled to take place at Comber FC, but the venue had to be switched at the last moment to Crusaders FC’s new 4G artificial pitch, due to the inclement weather in the area leading up to the match.

The hosts barely had chance to take a breath as England ran riot in the first period. Tim Rivers (St Wilfrid’s RC School, Sussex CSFA) opened the scoring on 11 minutes. Dale Whitham (Ashton on Mersey Sports College, Gtr Manchester CSFA) then made it 2-0 on 25 minutes. Two further strikes from Kenny Reeves (City of Norwich School, Norfolk CSFA) and Tim Rivers on 45 minutes made it 4-0 going into the interval.

Northern Ireland pulled a consolation goal back in the second half thanks to Michael Smith on 64 minutes.

England Team Line-up

Josh Hart (GK), Tom Boakye, Matthew Whitehead, Nick Hancock, Andrew Kelly, Connor Gater, Dale Whitham, Kenny Reeves, Liam Williams, Reece Yorke, Tim Rivers.

Subs: Adam Molloy (for Josh Hart, 83 mins), Cliff Moyo (for Tom Boakye, 60 mins), Luke Boyce, Daren Regis, Robert Thompson-Brown, Michael Scott.

SAFIB Centenary Shield Fixtures and League Table
Photo courtesy of RWT Photography