English Schools' Football Association

England Under 18 Schoolboys increased their chances of regaining the Centenary Shield following an impressive 2-0 win against Scotland, at Newcastle United FC’s Sports Direct Arena, on Thursday 12 April 2012.

The young lions created a flurry of early corners in the opening exchanges, one of which led to a snap shot from Tom Fouhy from the edge of the penalty area, but his effort was always rising too high and did not trouble the Scotland keeper, Kieran Hughes.

On 15 minutes, Peter Glen-Ravenhill burst through the Scottish back line but saw his shot drilled wide from just inside the penalty area.

Two minutes later, England defender George Newton kept the scores level, when he cleared a goal bound header off the line, following another dangerous Scottish corner.

Michael Sweet nearly put England 1-0 up on 21 minutes, following an impressive build up involving Oliver Davies, but the Gateshead College striker could not convert his effort at the back post and another shot went wide of the target.

Another England opportunity went begging on 24 minutes, when Peter Glen-Ravenhill earned a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside of the Scotland penalty area. The resultant free-kick fell to Glen-Ravenhill inside the box, but he managed to volley wide of the upright.

On 33 minutes, the England goalkeeper, Connor Sidley-Adams, was caught off-guard when he palmed a lobbed effort back into play which created a goal mouth scramble which the England boys managed to clear to safety.

Scotland went close on 37 minutes when Lawrence Shanckland blazed over following a dangerous through ball. The teams went into the interval on level terms after Tom Fouhy shot over the bar from 25 yards on 43 minutes.

England Manager, Andy Williams, replaced Ben Mooney with Joe Bunney at half time, to try and match the visitors’ physical prowess. That tactical switch paid off on 61 minutes, when Joe Bunney flicked on to Michael Sweet who produced a sublime chip over the advancing Hughes, to put the young lions 1-0 up.

Second half substitutions for England included Kyle Downey making way for Ashleigh Artwell on 70 minutes and Daniel Jones replaced the impressive Michael Sweet on 84 minutes. However, Sweet did not leave the scene until England went 2-0 up on 80 minutes when Jack Pounce drove a powerful shot from 20 yards, which Hughes in the Scotland goal only managed to palm into the path of the onrushing Peter Glen-Ravenhill, who obliged by slotting the ball into the net.

Despite a late rally from the Scotland boys, England managed to see out the remainder of the match and by doing so, ensured that they lifted the Lloyds TSB Cup for the second time. Scottish Schools’ FA Ambassador, Gordon Strachan was on hand to present the trophy alongside the ESFA Chairman, John Appleby.