Thomas Telford win in the U18 Schools' National Final

Wednesday 01 May 2013By ESFA Office

Last Updated:
10/02/2021 10:49:24

Haberdashers Askes' Knights Academy v Thomas Telford

Molineux Stadium, Tuesday 30th April

Thomas Telford School

The game kicked off with the sun being down at the Molineux stadium, the atmosphere was tremendous as Thomas Telford brought almost 2,000 fans to the game. The chanting, cheering and instruments really added to the occasion.

The first chance of the game fell to Anderson of Haberdasher’s who hit a powerful dipping volley which caused Thomas Telford goalkeeper Mitchell Hoof to clatter into his own post as he scrambled to make sure it was covered.

The game began to open up as the minutes ticked on and chances fell to both teams, with Sam Corne shooting from long range but straight at keeper Hoof in the Telford goal.

Ouani, the Haberdasher’s forward, who had looked lively in the open stages had another half chance after some good play, but couldn't connect properly to direct his effort goal wards.

In the 25th minute Jamie King opened the scoring for Thomas Telford as he prodded the ball under the keeper with great reactions as the ball had squirmed through to him after a deflected shot from Ryan Sohier.

1-0 to Thomas Telford as the deadlock is broken after probing from both sides attacking units.

Less than ten minutes later HAKA were back in the game with what was perhaps the best goal of the entire afternoon, after some great combination play from Copeland's flick on Hudson pounced on the throughball and smashed an unstoppable shot into the top left hand corner of the net to level the scores.

Both teams continued to try and press home an advantage and either side had one more opportunity to go head, with Copeland shooting wide for Haberdasher’s and David Arrowsmith heading over before the halftime whistle was blown.

1-1 at half time.

Officials Photo.(l to r) John Brandwood, Joe Clark, Ben Watkiss & Mike Mooney

As soon as the second half began Malik Ouani was again causing problems as he skipped through two defenders and shot at the Telford goal, only to be matched by goalkeeper Hoof as he saved well down to his right.

Telford were undeterred and took the upper hand after ten minutes as a freekick was lobbed in from deep by the halfway line onto the head of the perfectly timed run from central defender Ben Carter to flick over the ‘keeper and go 2-1 ahead.

Before Thomas Telford could settle again, Malacki Hudson burst into the box and was adjudged to have been hauled down thus giving Habadashers a penalty and a chance to level the scores. Substitute Brian Zeppo stepped up and immediately levelled the scoring slotting the penalty past the ‘keepers left hand.

2-2 and nothing to pick between the two teams.

The tempo continued to take its toll on both teams as numerous player’s succumbed to cramp after the frantic pace wore them down.

With the end to end action continuing there was bound to be another goal before long and it fell to super-sub Brian Zeppo to double his tally and put Haberdashers 3-2 in front. He found himself in the right place at the right time as Hoof had saved well from Hudson’s snapshot, but couldn’t stop the rebound follow up as it hit the back of the net.

Haberdasher’s had fought back valiantly to gain the lead.

In the 75th minute of the game a seemingly innocuous looping effort from the touchline saw Kaman Anderson get on the scoresheet as his shot flew all the way into the goal at the back post to level the game at 3-3 with Thomas Telford refusing to lie down!

The excitement continued only two minutes later as Jamie King had his legs swept out from under him and was awarded a penalty and the chance to put Thomas Telford firmly into the driver’s seat in the final. He dusted himself off and dispatched the left footed penalty to send the crowd wild.

4-3 Thomas Telford with ten minutes left to play.

As Haberdasher’s rallied for their final attacking efforts the tempo increased again as they threw bodies forward to gain an equaliser. Thomas Telford defended their goal like the Alamo and the relief was apparent as the final whistle blew confirming them U18 Schools’ National Champions by the finest of margins.

Congratulations to both teams in a game that was a true showcase of attacking football with an attacking, high tempo attitude from start to finish.

Squads:

Thomas Telford: Hoof, Brindley, Carter, Donovan, Talbot, Haynes, Arrowsmith, Jennings, Sohier, King, Anderson, Rowley, Mitchell, Blackwell, Robson, Buchanan.

Haberdasher’s: Vernom, Williams, Mensah, Richards, Sansui, Dogba, Corne, Campbell, Copeland, Hudson, Ouani, Kassagrate, Pratt, Zeppo, Jordan, Estrada.

Photos and a match DVD can be purchased via RWT PHOTOGRAPHY.


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