English Schools' Football Association

Newcastle United FC Academy was again the venue for an ESFA North Region Final. On this occasion the venue was used for the ESFA Tesco U11 Schools’ Cup for Girls.

The ten school teams from ESFA Regions A and B, who had qualified for this stage of the competition as County winners were:

• Crowlees Primary School, Spen Valley (West Yorkshire SFA)
• Davyhulme Primary School, Manchester (Greater Manchester SFA)
• Hirst Park Middle School, Ashington (Northumberland SFA)
• Rawmarsh Rosehill Junior School, Rotherham (South Yorkshire SFA)
• Riccal Primary School, York (North Yorkshire SFA)
• Rickleton Primary School, Washington (Durham CSFA)
• Rudston Junior School, Liverpool (Merseyside SFA)
• St Monica’s RC Primary School, Warrington (Cheshire CSFA)
• St Peter’s CE Primary School, Redcar (Cleveland SFA)
• Seaton Junior School, Workington (Cumbria SFA)

The schools were drawn into two groups of five with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the semi-final. Each school would play four matches.

GROUP A

Hirst Park and Seaton both had four points after two games but the Northumberland school topped the group on goal difference. Hirst Park began by drawing with Rickleton and then comprehensively beating Riccal. Seaton open their afternoon with a victory over St Peter’s CE but were held to a draw by Rickleton. St Peter’s CE recovered from their initial defeat to move into third place, with three points, by beating Riccal. Although this was Riccal’s second game in which they conceded heavily they were able to find great enjoyment by scoring twice.

Hirst Park consolidated top spot in the group with a second victory, this time over Seaton. This result was a setback to the Cumbrian school and created an opportunity for St Peter’s CE and Rickleton to move into second place.

Rickleton, after failing to score in their two previous games, found their scoring boots, and beat St Peter’s CE to jump from fourth in the group to second.

Seaton, after suffering their first defeat in game 3, regained second place by beating Riccal in their final group match.

Three teams were now competing for the top two places to qualify for the semi-final with Hirst Park in pole position.

Hirst Park proved to be too strong for St Peter’s CE, as they recorded another victory to finish with 10 points and head the group.

The last group match between Rickleton and Riccal, which Rickleton had to win, would decide if Rickleton or Seaton qualified for the semi-final. The Washington school dominated play but had difficulty in scoring as Riccal defended resolutely. However Rickleton eventually managed to score the elusive winning goal to see them into the semi-final.

GROUP B

At the halfway stage Crowlees, with two victories, were in a strong position at the head of Group B with six points. There was very little between the remaining teams.

Before Crowlees could play their third game the other teams in the group had the opportunity to take advantage but failed to do so as the games between Rawmarsh and St Monica’s RC then Rudston and Davyhulme ended in a draw.

Crowlees capitalised upon the drawn matches by winning their third game, against St Monica’s RC. This win assured the West Yorkshire school of finishing top of Group B and a place in the semi-final. This result also put St Monica’s RC out of contention.

Three schools still had a chance of making the semi-final but Rawmarsh were well placed. In the penultimate group match Rawmarsh gained the necessary victory, over Davyhulme, to secure second position. Crowlees maintained their good form to record their fourth victory and finish five points clear at the top of the group.

Semi-final 1: Hirst Park v Rawmarsh
Hirst Park secured a 2-0 victory by scoring a goal in each half. Rawmarsh had their chances but were unable to take advantage of the openings they created.

Semi-final 2: Crowlees v Rickleton
This was a closely contested game with very little between the teams. During normal time neither team was able to score although both came close. In extra time both team pressed for the all-important goal. Just when it appeared that a penalty shoot-out would be needed to separate the sides Crowlees scored the vital match winning goal with about a minute of extra time remaining.

Hirst Park and Crowlees will represent ESFA North Region in the National Finals, which will be held at The UCL Sports Ground on Saturday 19 May.