English Schools' Football Association

ESFA Under 14 Girls Inter County Trophy Semi Final
Tuesday 26th March at Maidstone United FC
Kent Schools’ FA 2-2 Staffordshire Schools’ FA
(Kent won 6-5 on penalties)

In a pulsating encounter played on an excellent 4G surface at Maidstone United, with both teams displaying everything that is good in Schools football, Kent SFA progressed to the final of the Under 14 Inter County Cup.

Despite a journey in excess of four hours Staffordshire started the brighter of the two teams and applied pressure on the ball all over the pitch. Kent were unable to string any passes together and were struggling to cope with the pace of the Staffordshire forwards.

After a period of pressure Staffordshire took the lead with a well taken goal and the Kent girls responded positively when a well struck shot cannoned off a post. Staffordshire spurned two good chances to increase their lead but were satisfied to go in 1-0 up at half time.

A response was expected from the Kent girls and with the words of their manager ringing in their ears they looked a different outfit.They denied Staffordshire any possession and applied considerable pressure for twenty minutes without reward. Staffordshire were visibly wilting but a stroke of good fortune allowed a Kent equaliser from an own goal. The Staffordshire defence had been outstanding but were breached a second time when a ball was spilled and a Kent forward tapped in the rebound.

The Staffordshire girls looked tired but the resilience that has served them so well came to the fore and they poured forward in search of an equaliser. Kent girls however looked in control and it was not until two minutes from time that a free kick quickly taken was fired into the box. The Kent defenders failed to deal with it and Staffordshire were level. With extra time beckoning Staffordshire crafted a great chance but the Kent keeper was equal to it and the scores remained level.

Extra time was a nail biting affair which ebbed and flowed and a s both teams tired chances came and went. A melee in the Kent box from a corner saw the ball cleared off the line and as the final whistle went one team faced elimination by penalties. The unlucky loser was to be Staffordshire and a 6-5 score line to Kent was recorded for posterity.

Both sets of girls can be extremely proud in putting on a show of committed football with excellent technique. The attitude of both teams was a pleasure to see and the officials can seldom have had an easier game to control and the girls displayed the attributes we would all like to see in our game and deserve great credit.