English Schools' Football Association

ESFA U18 Inter County Trophy for Boys

Essex v Kent

Kent County Schools' FA

In this fierce local rivalry both teams were disciplined and cancelled each other out in the opening first half minutes, they held their shape and the goalkeepers swept up any apparent danger with ease. The first real chance fell to Kent’s Mikey Dalton as he headed down at the foot of the post after a superb cross from the full back across the pitch. Essex replied as Rob Livett crossed perfectly from a freekick only for centre back Christian Mbulu to head slightly over the bar and into the stand behind. Essex broke free again and Hadler saved strongly with one hand from Jordan Clark to beat it away.

Kent had the ball In the goal before half time after some good work from full back Greg Skinner, and as Kane Butler smashed in the ricochet the whistle had already blown for an offside. A few moments later Josh Woolley received the ball on the left hand side and whipped a devilish cross across the six yard box, missing a connection from Jeremy Achong by inches. Essex had the last meaningful effort of the half as Tyler Hubbard broke forward but fired his eventual volley over the crossbar.

0-0 at half time and nothing to choose between the teams.

Second half began at a high tempo and Essex forward Abassie Walker thought he had scored as he headed a corner off the underside of the bar, only to see it cleared by the defender. Some superb play moments later opened up Kent down the right hand side with Mark Onyemah driving into the box and linking well with Sean Clare before driving his shot just the wrong side if the post.

Both teams found it hard to create chances as defences held firm.

Essex controlled the ball better but couldn't work a clear cut opportunity and Kent had been limited to long range efforts on goal. The best chance fell to substitute, Yesheya Lomotey who shot from the top of the box and made Kent goalkeeper Tom Hadler work hard to palm it away for a corner. Some more excellent work from Onyemah looked to slip in Lomotey clear through on goal only for Kent skipper Callum Naessens to cut it out superbly. In the last minute Essex had Kent on the ropes and Captain Ellis Ashworth thought he had it won as the ball was squared to him three yards out & he couldn't sort his feet out quick enough to beat the defender on the line.

0-0 full time.

The first half of extra time passed without any incident, but only a minute into the second half the ball was played into the Kent centre forward who turned his defender and found Kane Butler unmarked at the back post who slotted home. All the Essex pressure undone in an instant as Kent take a 1-0 lead. This set up a nervy last period of extra time and the final chance to rewrite the script fell to the lively Lomotey, who volleyed over the bar from six yards out with the last attacking move of the game.

Kent 1-0 Essex AET

Team Line-ups

Kent County Schools' FA

Jeremy Achong, Kane Butler, Tom Cameron, Ryan Cheek, Elliot Cutts, Mikey Dalton, Tom Hadler, Joe Halford, Ben Kitcherside, Christian Lawal, Callum Naessens, Aaron Simpson, Greg Skinner, Mudigia Wanogho, Lewis Whiteoak, Josh Woolley.

Essex County Schools' FA

Luke Avenall, Tyler Hubbard, Mark Onyemah, Christian Mbulu, Ellis Ashworth, Luke Read, Liam Smith, Rob Livett, Abassie Walker, Yesheya Lomotey, Sean Clare, AJ Adelaken, Martynas Saltenis, Jamie Hursit, Dec Rydings.

Match Officials

Keith Scott (Referee), Iain Danson & Andy Collin (Assistant Referees), Lawrie Forrester (Fourth Official).

To view match photos and a DVD please visit RWT Photography.

ESFA Under 18 Inter County Trophy Fixtures and Results.