English Schools' Football Association

Hartpury College celebrate Trophy win

A thrilling end to end cup final was played out under lights at Morecambe Football Club last night as Gateshead College (Gateshead Schools’ FA) and Hartpury College (West Gloucestershire Schools’ FA) met to decide which team would be crowned champions in 2010.

Both teams started brightly and created a flurry of opportunities at each end. It was Gateshead College that broke the deadlock on 9 minutes when Lee Dial broke free inside the Hartpury penalty area and his deflected shot left the keeper Eddie Dale, with no real chance of making a save.

Hartpury nearly drew level on 13 minutes when left winger, Jake Gosling, curled a superb cross to the far post where Brett James’ header was well saved by the Gateshead keeper, Mark Dawson.

Hartpury only had to wait a minute later to equalise. Callum Preece eventually managed to push the ball over the line following a goal-mouth scramble from a corner.

Thomas Boakye, the England Under 18 Schools’ International right back, nearly gave Hartpury the lead on 20 minutes as he found space on the edge of the area and unleashed a thunderbolt effort which sailed just wide of the far post.

Striker, Bismark Kwarteng, also went close for Hartpury on 29 minutes, but his effort hit the outside of the net from an awkward angle.

Gateshead then began to take control leading up to the interval with Adam Reach, and Glen Scurfield going close on three occasions.

Hartpury came back strongly in the second half, with Brett James hitting the bar, although the Assistant Referee had already adjudged the midfielder offside.

Bismark Kwarteng’s pace was a constant menace for the Gateshead defence and he nearly gave Hartpury the lead on 57 minutes as he controlled a through ball excellently with the outside of his right boot and raced through; only to see his effort brilliantly saved by Mark Dawson.

John Evans and Matthew Wade combined well for Gateshead on 64 minutes only to see Wade’s shot drift wide of the far post.

Hartpury eventually took the lead on 70 minutes after Brett James was upended in the penalty area. Jack Wood stepped up to convert the penalty to Dawson’s left, despite the keeper getting a strong hand to the ball.

Paul Rickard, Chairman of the English Schools’ FA, was on hand to present the Trophy to England Schools’ International Captain, Nick Hancock on behalf of Hartpury College

Team Squads:

Gateshead: Mark Dawson (GK); Rhys Jukes; Keiron McDonald; Mathew Wade; Dan Lay; Andrew Brown (Captain); John Evans; Robert Briggs; Lee Dial; Glen Scurfield; Adam Reach. Subs: Alex White; Keiron Holmes (GK); Rob Smith; David Short; Lewis Lynch.
Management: Paul Dawson (Manager) and Andrew Dodds (Coach)

Hartpury: Eddie Dale (GK); Thomas Boakye; Adam Mann; Nick Hancock (Captain); Jordan Humphrey; Callum Preece; Brett James; Ben Parry; Jack Wood; Bismark Kwarteng; Jake Gosling. Subs: Daniel Holloway; Ciaran Gilbert; James Pearson; Ross Langworthy; Joe Grafton
Management: Tim Jenkins (Head Coach); Martin Alps (Physio); Shaun Gluyas (Coach); Tom Radcliffe (Director of Football Aacdemy).

Match Officials

Referee: Paul Tierney | Assistants: Peter Gooch and Oli Lynn | Reserve: Steve Leggott (All Lancashire FA)

Photos and a DVD of the game can be purchased by RWT Photography