English Schools' Football Association

Northampton School for Boys and Walkwood CE Middle School arrived at The Proact Stadium, Home of Chesterfield Football Club, for the day’s second ESFA National Final.

Both teams for the first 10 minutes showed the big crowd how they got to the national final with all of their skill and talent on show.

Walkwood had the best chance of the match after only 9 minutes as Matt Smith took a free kick which hit the crossbar.

4 minutes later and Northampton came close as Josh DeMichele strikes from outside the box forcing the Walkwood keeper to make a save.

Walkwood had a similar chance at the other end as Jack Turner hits the ball but the Northampton keeper saved low to keep the scores level.

Only one minute later and Walkwood hit the back of the net, Jack Nicholls gets the ball into the net after a scramble in the box, squeezing it past defenders and the goal keeper to put them into the lead.

2 minutes later and Glenn Middleton of Northampton crosses the ball from the right hand side and Josh DeMichele was at the far post to side foot the ball into the net to equalise.

Walkwood then try to get the lead again after the Northampton keeper lets the ball run and Jack Cole runs onto it, but hits the ball wide.

The half then ended with both teams on level terms at 1-1.

The second half began as the first ended with Northampton attacking after a few seconds as Lewis Green side foots the ball just over the bar.

One minute later and Walkwood take the lead again after Matt Smith takes the ball from the half way line and uses his pace to make it 1 on 1 with the keeper. The keeper rushed out but Matt slipped it around him to put Walkwood ahead.

Again only 2 minutes had past and Northampton had equalised as Glenn Middleton acts fast as the keeper spills the ball to hit the ball into the net.

In the next few minutes there was plenty of pressure from both sides as Northampton hit the bar and Walkwood hit just wide of the post.

For the first time of the day, Northampton take the lead through Glenn Middleton as he controls the ball and takes it across the front of the box and then hits the ball hard past the keeper to put them 3-2 up.

One minute later and the referee awards Walkwood a penalty. Matt Smith stepped up to take this and slots it home to his left to put the scores level again at 3-3.

In the last few minutes Walkwood put the pressure on with a corner, but Northampton do well to clear the ball to keep it level.

We needed extra time to settle this game so in the first half of extra time the stronger team was Northampton as Glenn Middleton puts the ball over the bar, but only a minute later Lewis Green strikes to put Northampton in the lead again. He took the ball into the box and then slotted home to put his team back in the lead.

The second half of extra time saw Walkwood trying to get the equaliser as Matt Smith has a great chance but hits the ball just wide of the post.

Plenty of pressure by Walkwood but there was not enough time and the referee blew for full time and that meant Northampton School for Boys won the tie 4-3 after extra time.

Both teams were presented with a medal and the captain of Northampton was presented with the National Trophy by ESFA Council Member, John Appleby, to crown them National Champions.

Team Line-ups

Northampton School for Boys

Nathan Pickworth, Tom Hughes, Sean Whaler, Tyrese Parris-Smith, Harry Cameron, Glenn Middleton, Lewis Green, Shae Grass, Josh DeMichele, Fraser Hornby, David Hunt, Grant Wilson, Joe Heslop, Ben Alibone, Josh Lay, Lewis Beasley. Team Management: Jamie Wilcock (Coach), Craig Armstrong (Coach), Phil Beaumont (Physiotherapist).

Walkwood CE Middle School

Jack Davies, Billy Webb, Ashley Lane, Ben Thomas, Fraser Duggan, Jayke Haines, Matt Smith, Chris Dyson, Jack Turner, Dan Poxon, Jack Nicholls, Ryan Dipple, Jack Cole, Bradley Burnett, Jamal McKenzie, Billy Rowlands. Team Management: Martyn West (Team Manager), Scott Walsh (Coach), Simon West (Physiotherapist).

Match Officials

Roy Burton (Referee), Jack Preston and Josh Lindsey (Assistant Referees), Bill Quirk (Fourth Official).

Match Photos and a DVD can be purchased via RWT Photography.

ESFA U13 Schools’ Cup for Boys Results.