English Schools' Football Association

ESFA U18 Schools’ Cup for Boys

Thomas Telford School v Barking Abbey School

Thomas Telford School

In the first game of our National Finals festival at The Ricoh Arena we anticipated a good game of football from two teams who had won some tough games en route to the final.

As expected, this was a tight, evenly matched game with both teams defending resolutely. The Thomas Telford back line, led by Captain Ben Carter looked solid even though the Barking Abbey front line of Zodel Brown and Owen Edobor looked menacing.

As the minutes ticked down it looked as though we might end the half goalless, until a moment of inspiration took place.

Barking Abbey central midfielder Rob Livett, who had been the lynchpin of his team, was squared the ball 30 yards from goal and rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. The team from Essex were on top in this tight affair after scoring a goal that dreams are made of!

This rocked Thomas Telford noticeably and Barking Abbey almost landed a killer blow as the ball was whipped in superbly across the face of goal with the outstretched striker only centimetres from tapping it into the open net.

The half time whistle blew and Thomas Telford went in to regroup.

The second half began and both teams came out with one aim: to score a decisive goal. The ball was moved around the pitch well and although it was worked into some dangerous areas, neither goalkeeper had to work too hard to keep their goal safe.

Thomas Telford looked to be building an edge in the game and after some good pressure from the lively Sam Mitchell, who had been involved in much of the attacking play, he finally got his goal to level the scores and out Thomas Telford back in with a chance of winning the game.

Thomas Telford School Celebrate

That goal was to be the last incident in the second half as the game was taken to extra time.

Extra time passed without any real incident as both teams consolidated and only pushed forward sporadically. All 22 players looked as though they were resigned to penalties and did not want to put a foot wrong and cost their team a chance to win.

After a nervy penalty affair, it was Thomas Telford who came out on top 4-2, coming from behind after missing an earlier penalty to win the game and be crowned champions.

Team Line-ups:

Thomas Telford School

Mitchell Hoof, Kieran Buckley, Ryan Talbot, Leigh Brindley, Ben Carter (C), Andrew Haynes, Sam Mitchell, Tyler Lyttle, Daniel Blackwell, James Tindall, Ellis Lole-Millard, Harry Cunningham, Sean Jennings, Joe Thomas, Daniel Hall, Jonathan Brown.

Barking Abbey School

Callum Chafer, Leon Laungani, Remy Mathurin, Rob Livett, Luke Read, Isaac Bascombe, Owen Edobor, Martynas Daltenis, Abassie Walker, Garrett Kelly, Jamie Hursit, Rahim Mohammed, Zodel Brown, Darnell Weise, Warren Thomas, Clovis Cliford, Jamie Cartney-Chand, Sam Dickens, Fahad Nazor, Joe Davies.

Match Officials

Des Coulson (Referee), Ben Stones & Jess Shuker (Assistant Referees), Syd Nye (Fourth Official).

Photos and a match DVD can be purchased by going to the RWT Photography website.

ESFA Under 18 Schools' Trophy for Boys Fixtures and Results