English Schools' Football Association

Lochan Reus (left) and England's James Goldby (right) in action

This was a very well contested game played at AFC Wulfrunians, Wolverhampton on Sunday 29 January 2012. There had been an overnight frost and on arriving at the ground the staff were very busy ensuring that no area of the pitch was in a condition to prevent the game going ahead. On their last visit two years ago the Australians were frustrated to find 6 inches of early morning snow meant the game could not go ahead!

The Australians started very well and soon found their stride forcing three corners in the first 12 minutes. The English defence were very well marshalled and were able to restrain the enterprising efforts of the visitors. England’s first chance fell to Andrew Venning whose 25yd shot was parried by the keeper and Michael Sweet lobbed the ricochet narrowly over the bar. Six minutes later Joe Bunney was provided with a shooting opportunity following an excellent through ball from Venning but again his effort was just wide of the target. In the 33^rd minute Venning again found the goal in his sights but was foiled on this occasion by Aussie goalkeeper Luke Turnbull who managed to tip it away from the top left corner. The England boys were keeping possession well and were making probing forays down the flanks but the Australian defence were able to keep them at bay.

For the second half Ashleigh Artwell replaced Kyle Downey in midfield and Peter Glenn-Ravenhill took the place of Michael Sweet up front. The game continued in the same competitive spirit with the first goal bound effort of the second half coming from Australian forward Stefan Sacilotto but Tom Betts was able to smother the shot with the melee tidied up by the calm Tom Axford. Shortly after Jack Pounce’s well directed free kick was met by Louis Mobbs who saw his effort glance the post and two minutes later Joe Bunney headed just wide from another set piece. The game became disjointed as both teams made replacements and goal opportunities were few and far between. England had two opportunities to seal the game in added time but the final draw was a fair result.

AFC Wulfrunians proved to be an excellent venue for this game with the club staff setting extremely high standards for other venues to follow. On a final note, all three match officials, Andrew Fox, Robbie Dadley and Simon Hill had been officiating in schools football since their early youth – and a very good job they did today too.

England U18 Boys’ Team Fixtures and Results
Photo courtesy of www.rwt-photography.co.uk