U18 County SF: Hertfordshire 2-0 Gwent
Tuesday 29 March 2011By ESFA Office
Last Updated:
10/02/2021 11:48:53
Hertfordshire Schools’ FA U18s beat Gwent 2-0 at the County Ground on Monday night to reach the English Schools' FA Under 18 Inter County Trophy Final for the first time in 24 years.
A goal from a corner, headed in by Max Farrelly (Queens' School) in the 2nd minute gave the Hertfordshire side a lead that they were able to defend until the 90th minute when a close range strike from Harvey Scott (Verulam School) settled the tie.
Hertfordshire had reached the semi-final with wins over Inner London, Kent and Sussex without conceding a goal and it was their defence which effectively won this game. The early goal had caught the Welsh side cold but almost at once they found their rhythm and stretched the home side almost to breaking point. With four players from the Wales squad, that narrowly lost to England at Yeovil on Friday night, on the pitch their passing and movement was a persistent threat. Their playmaker Ryan Newman was outstanding. But when they did break through Cameron Baker-Owers (Oaklands) in the Hertfordshire goal handled confidently.
There were anxious moments, even in stoppage time, but at the final whistle they could look forward to the final tie against Lancashire at Hillsborough on Thursday 7th April.
