English Schools' Football Association

John Madejski Academy

This year’s Under 18 Schools’ Trophy final was played at the Molineux, home of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.

The game kicked off with patchy rain throughout the half. It took Thomas Telford (Telford & Wrekin SFA) only 2 minutes to take a shot with Jake Webb forcing John Madejski Academy’s (Reading SFA) goalkeeper Reece O’Connor to make the save to his right.

John Madejski Academy then replied on the 8^th minute with Matthew Cox striking and forcing the keeper into a save to keep the scores level.

Today’s referee, Steve Rushton, awarded Thomas Telford a free kick on the edge of the box which was taken by Ashley Robson. It was put into the box with Jaton Vernon missing the target to the left of goal.

In the 13^th minute, Thomas Telford were awarded a free kick 35 yards from goal. It was taken by Jake Webb but missed to the left of goal.

On the half hour mark, Thomas Telford were awarded a corner which was punched out by the John Madejski keeper allowing them to counter attack. They moved forward fast but were stopped when the flag was raised for offside stopping the attack.

Both sides held onto the ball well for the last 15 minutes with both sides making a few attempts but not managing to convert into goals. This saw the sides go into half time 0-0.

Both sides came out in the second half after their team talks with new ideas and both sides trying to break the deadlock with attempts at both ends.

An attempt at goal by John Madejski’s Zach Tull was not far away as he saw the Thomas Telford keeper off his line but missed over the bar.

A minute later Thomas Telford attacked with Wayne Davis going forward and the JMA keeper coming out to try and stop the attack but Wayne carried on and put it into an empty net putting Thomas Telford into the lead.

Thomas Telford had the ball in the net in the 59^th minute, but the assistant referee’s flag was raised and the goal disallowed for offside. A minute later Thomas Telford attacked again and the keeper came to collect the cross but spilled it, but was well defended and cleared.

In the 78^th minute JMA took a corner but was headed against one of their own players and cleared by Thomas Telford. Both teams were keeping up the pressure in a very evenly matched game.

A minute later JMA were awarded a penalty for a foul in the area. This was taken by Mitchell Parker who sent the keeper the wrong way to bring John Madejski Academy level with 10 minutes to go.

A scrap for the ball in the penalty area saw Thomas Telford win a corner which was cleared but put back in dangerously but missed to the left of the goal.

A minute later, John Madejski Academy went ahead with a quick goal which had beaten the goalkeeper and the defender on the line to allow Devante Romeo to put into the back of the net.

In the 90^th minute, Devante Romeo took to the box again and managed to score again taking it around the defender and shooting, the ball took a deflection and saw it go into the goal to make it 3-1.

Straight after the goal Thomas Telford were awarded a penalty for a handball in the box. Ryan Bright stepped up and converted to the left of the goal. The keeper guessed wrong to make the score 3-2.

A corner was awarded to Thomas Telford which saw their keeper come to try and make it level in the dying seconds, but it was headed out and passed to an unmarked Mitchell Parker who took it forward and put into an empty net to end the tie.

Both teams were awarded their souvenir medals by ESFA Chairman, John Appleby. John Madejski Academy were presented with the trophy to crown them national champions.

Thomas Telford School: John Thompson, Steven Minton, Ryan Fudge, Ravinder Aulak, Ben Carter, Ben Sohier, Jake Webb, Jaton Vernon, Chaquille Buchanan, Wayne Davis, Matthew O’Leary, Harry Charlesworth, Ryan Bright, Joshua Smith, Alexander Haynes, Ashley Robson, Leigh Brindley, Jamie King, Daniel Donovan. Team management: Steve Wilderspin (Head Coach), Sir Kevin Satchwell (Manager), Jeremy Thomas (Coach), Iain Sweeney (Physiotherapist).

John Madejski Academy: Reece O’Connor, Carlisle Bovell, Matthew Cox, Joe Bull, Adam Richards, Zach Tull, Devante Romeo, Ashleigh Artwell, Jamekal Henderson, Aaron Minhas, Mitchell Parker, Malvin Kachingwe, Lewis Atherley, Franki Boamah, Liam Ferdinand, Ryan Nevard. Team management: Tristan Lewis (Manager), Michael Butcher (Assistant Manager), Ben Gladwin (Assistant Coach), Sam Harwood (Physiotherapist).

Match Officials: Steve Rushton, Ben Watkiss, Tom Rolls, Scott Liggins.

Match DVD and photos can be purchased by going to RWT Photography.

ESFA Under 18 Schools Trophy results.