U14 County Boys’ Final: Merseyside 3-1 Essex CSFA

Tuesday 29 May 2012By ESFA Office

Last Updated:
10/02/2021 10:48:58

Merseyside Under 14 County Schools' Football Team 2012

Merseyside celebrate victory

Merseyside CSFA were crowned champions of the ESFA Under 14 Inter County Trophy for Boys following their victory over Essex CSFA at Chesterfield Football Club’s B2Net Stadium on Monday 21 May 2012. A good start to the county game and without Merseyside getting a composed foot on the ball, Essex were 1-0 up after Abel Okoghenu lashed home a shot which fell to him via a deflected free-kick at the top of the box.

The game opened up for both teams, with attacking moves sweeping from end to end hoping to penetrate. Both sides stood strong, although Merseyside were gaining momentum winning corner after corner, to keep the pressure mounting. None of their set pieces were able to find a way through until Jay Bradford popped up at the back post and powered a header into the back of the net levelling up the game.

As the game moved on, both teams had significant chances, with the goalkeepers taking the spotlight.

After a huge clearance from Kyle Juniper, the lack of communication was apparent as defender Luke Burke and goalkeeper Callum Mulby collided in a defensive mix up, leaving the chance for an open goal, with only the great defensive work of the covering defender saving the day. Kyle Juniper did well when called into action, saving with a strong hand after Jay Bradford turned and snapped a shot towards him after another corner.

A few minutes later it was Merseyside goalkeeper Callum Mulby in the thick of it again, as Essex’s John Massala caused problems with his relentless running, he charged down an attempted goalkeeper clearance and improvising with an overhead kick, missed by only a few inches.

There was one more good goal-scoring chance for each side just before half time, with Merseyside’s Semuel Llesanmi unable to sort his balance out and hitting a tame effort straight at the keeper, and Essex no. 10 Sonny Shilling flicking a free kick goal-wards but into the hands of the Merseyside keeper. The Score remained delicately poised at 1-1 at half time.

Both teams were fighting hard with some strong tackles flying in from both sides, Merseyside had a breakaway which was smothered by the Essex keeper.

A few minutes later Merseyside took the initiative, and after a great interception from defender Jay Hunter, he linked up well with Jay Bradford, starting an underlapping run around the forward to pull the Essex defence out of shape, as the defender was drawn towards him, he released Samuel Llesanmi who was now in a few yards of open space and used it well, firing the ball into the back of the net.

2-1 to Merseyside, and they could have added another a minute later through lively forward Jay Bradford, although he had one eye on avoiding the back post as a delicious cross was whipped into the far post area, he couldn’t make full contact and the ball flew wide left and out for a goal kick.

Essex pushed back and tried to control the game and find an equaliser to take the game to extra time, and the closest they came was a low shot from Mohamed Ali as he broke past the defence, only to have it saved by the keeper.

Merseyside took advantage of the Essex high pressure and caught them on the counter-attack with Llesanmi latching onto a through-ball to grab his second of the game and Merseyside’s third.

With that goal they sealed the tie, and took the National Championship title for 2011-2012.

View U14 Inter County Trophy Boys’ Results 2012
A match DVD and photographs can be purchased via www.rwt-photgraphy.co.uk  

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