English Schools' Football Association

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School

On a very sunny day Clitheroe Royal Grammar School and Great Cornard Middle School stepped out onto the pitch at the Banks’s Stadium, home of Walsall Football Club to compete for the title of National Champions in the ESFA Under 13 Small Schools Trophy.

In the first 5 minutes the ball was being moved around very well by both teams with chances at both ends but with 2 equally strong defences neither team could break through for that early goal.

Clitheroe then started piling on the pressure with 2 quick corners coming in but the goal keeper in the Great Cornard goal would not let them through.

A few minutes later and there was a great chance for Great Cornard as the ball was put in from the corner and Murray Lange hits just over the bar.

Clitheroe’s Adam Bolton made a run down the right wing, halfway through the first half, and tries to lob the keeper. The Great Cornard keeper then watches the ball go over his head and over his crossbar.

With the rest of the half being played in the middle of midfield both teams went in at half time at 0-0.

In the first 5 minutes of the second half Clitheroe kept their pressure on the Great Cornard goal as Sam Fowler made a forward run on goal but the keeper ran out quickly to make a clearance.

Clitheroe then get the best chance of the game with Adam Bolton turns in the box around his defender and shoots but it runs inches wide of the post.

Jack Burgess (centre) scoring his winning goal

The first goal of the day came in the 61^st minute as Clitheroe’s captain, Jack Burgess, heads the ball into the goal from the corner after a few minutes of pressure on goal.

A few minutes later Great Cornard could have been back in the game as Drew Olley took the ball into the box causing a panic in the box and a defender scrambles the ball clear.

There was pressure on both goals in the last few minutes of the game but was not enough and Clitheroe’s fans exploded in joy as the referee blew the final whistle to crown them National Champions.

Each team were presented with their medals by Gerry Smith, ESFA Council Member, and Clitheroe’s Jack Burgess lifts the trophy to confirm them as the winners on the day.

Team Line-ups

Clitheroe Royal Grammar School

Harry Ellis, Thomas Young, Jack Burgess, Nathan Astin, Charlie Dewhurst, James Rose, Abdul Rahim, Sam Crook, Adam Bolton, Sam Fowler, Will Lancaster, Isaac Forrest, Thomas Neaven, Thomas Entwistle, Joseph Kenney, Lawrence Pilkington. Team Management: Jamie Alcock.

Great Cornard Middle School

Ryan Brace, Bradley Metson, Aaron Pengelly, Murray Lange, Ben Clark, Tom Prentice, David Wilson Chester Bloomfield, Tim Gore, Deon Ramdhanie, Louis Appleby, Drew Olley, William Cowlin, Ralph Pruden, David Robinson. Team Management: Pete Somers.

Match Officials

Steve Rushton (Referee), Tom Rolls & Ben Watkiss (Assistant Referees) and Mark Warren (Fourth Official)

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

ESFA U13 Small Schools Trophy Results.