Merseyside & Bradford triumph at Leicester City!

Monday 20 May 2013By ESFA Office

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

King Power Stadium, Leicester City FC

ESFA U14 County Final for Boys

Essex CSFA v Merseyside CSFA

Leicester City FC welcomed us to the fabulous King Power Stadium and a pitch that looked like a billiards table for this inter county national final.

The ball broke to Essex striker Ayo Oyelola and he fired an early shot straight at Merseyside 'keeper Johnson to sting his palms.

Joshua Dasilva created himself the second chance for Essex winning the ball in the centre of midfield only to drive forward and fire over.

Cross from Merseyside Miller on a corner for centre back Fleming to flick on and cause confusion in the box and bypass a couple of defenders on the line.

1-0 to Merseyside

Merseyside upped their tempo, pressurising Essex at every opportunity. Oyelola produced an excellent bit of skill to cross superbly for winger Dennis Sendur who slid in but couldn't quite connect.

Lucy had a speculative shot from a long way out which slipped through the keepers hands to go for a corner.

In the final minutes of the half Akpan had a fabulous run and a nice bit of skill to set himself for a shot, only to fly wide.

Deep into injury time with the final chance of the half winger Morris broke through and smashed home for 2-0 as the final kick of the game.

Merseyside are perhaps the stronger side, controlling the game physically, but Essex have looked sharp going forward when Dasilva and Oyelola connect. They will need to grab an early goal if they can.

A couple of early free kicks for Essex were opportunities that they passed up, Dasilva shooting over from the first one and Harry Rawlings causing the keeper to make an easy save.

A number of chances fell to both sides but neither could capitalise as shots flew wide and over.

A superb chance was presented to Akpan as Owens threaded a delightful ball through to put him in one on one with the keeper but he could only poke wide.

Dangerous moments for Essex.

Tyrique Hyde broke away down the right wing and centered for Dasilva to ht a powerful shot at the 'keeper which he initially spilled, but gathered in at the second attempt.

Merseyside were taking up good attacking positions and getting lots of possession further up the field, with Owens and Doris both having strikes on goal with with well saved by Beasley in the Essex goal.

Merseyside had another great chance to score through Doris again, with only a superb recoving tackle for Myles Judd saving them.

After some excellent work from the Essex trio of attackers the ball was slid across to Dennis Serdur to shoot past the keeper and give Essex a new lease of life! 2-1 and game on!

A minute later Essex were awarded a free kick at the top of the box and Dasilva stepped up, shooting low with Johnson scribbling across to keep it out low down to his right.

Another freekick, this time INSIDE the box was awarded, after the goalkeeper was adjudged to have been time wasting, this had the Merseyside team lining up in the edge of their own six yard box to charge down the effort which found its way through to the keeper, but only straight into his hands.

The last few minutes here have been frantic with Essex throwing bodies forward in an attempt to score. The game ended shortly after, crowning Merseyside as Champions of England.

ESFA U15 Inter Association Trophy

Brent SFA v Bradford Metro SFA

We kicked off the second of our National Finals at the King Power Stadium.

The first action of the game saw Christopher Truelove fire a freekick in to test the Brent goalkeeper, Shavez Khan. Khan pinched clear and from the ensuing corner central defender Omolokum got up highest to head against the base of the post.

Reece Webb-Foster got in behind the Brent defence and turned superbly but unfortunately shaped his shot too high, flying off into the stands.

Courtney Austin broke forward powerfully for Brent and the last ditch tackle from Bradford left back Laurence Dunne saved his side.

Austin was again causing problems with his directness and power, laying off for captain Ash Hameed to power a shot wide right of the goal.

As Bradford soaked up the pressure, they finally had their chance to capitalise as Matthew Foulds pounced on a communication error to drive forward with the ball and deliver an inch perfect cross for Reece Webb-Foster to pass home.

1-0 to Bradford with ten minutes left in the first half.

Webb Foster was creating problems as he stole the ball off the Brent full back to go through on goal, but Khan came up big again with another superb save.

Bradford piled on the pressure deep into the first half and should have capitalised after a freekick was blazed over and Truelove shot wide for the last kick of the first half.

1-0 Half Time; Brent had started the brighter but Bradford took their opportunities when they arose and can go in the happier side at half time.

Bradford came out all guns blazing and grabbed a very early second goal through Webb Foster again as he ran through to double their advantage.

Brent pushed to get a goal back, but the best effort still flew over from winger Gianni Crichlow.

As the game opened up and gaps appeared Reece Webb-Foster completed his hattrick turning past the covering defender and excellently slotting home to confirm his performance as man of the match.

Bradford had another late chance as Centre Back Omolokum headed toward goal only for full back Romayne Pennant to clear off the line superbly.

In what turned out to be an excellent game, with a great tempo played by both sides before Bradford pulled away, finishing the chances they had created. Well done to both Associations for a great day of football.



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