ESFA PlayStation Under 15 Schools’ Cup for Boys

Thursday 01 May 2014By ESFA Office

Last Updated:
10/02/2021 10:49:30

Cardinal Heenan were crowned National Champions

St Columba’s Catholic Boys School (North Kent) v Cardinal Heenan Catholic Sports College (Liverpool)

After only a couple of minutes this final sprung into life as the ball found its way to Cardinal Heenan’s Kevin Cringle on the edge of the box and he hit a ripping shot past the keeper to put the side from Liverpool in front.

Cardinal Heenan kept up the pressure with a number of attacking throw ins and corners deep in the St Columba’s School half.

The pressure finally told, and Cardinal Heenan went two nil up following a cross from lively winger Joe O’Brien to the back post for Shernick Grove to bundle in unmarked at the back post.

As Kevin Cringle drew a foul, the resulting free kick was perfectly crossed by Callum Lucy for Lewis Riley to meet and powerfully head home. 3-0 with less than half an hour played and Cardinal Heenan are cruising in full control.

After a number of substitutions , both teams had changed shape a little, but without a different result – Jordan Laite would have made it 4 – 0 but for a brilliant save from Columba’s goalkeeper Sean Doyle.

St Columba’s had a brief spell of positive play, where they held onto the ball and played some good combination football releasing William Oledorie who was just inches from connecting with the ball as Michael Hall in the Cardinal Heenan goal was alert to the danger and off his line quickly. The final effort of the half was wasted as a free kick in an attacking area was blazed high over the bar and into the stands.

3-0 to Cardinal Heenan at half time and St Columba’s will need to improve in all areas of the pitch if they are to rescue this game.

The second half kicked off with great tempo as the St Columba’s boys were clearly motivated to put things right. They created the first couple of clear chances, looking much more fluid in their play than they had been in the first half. Michael Adofo fired over the bar from outside the box in the first few minutes to signal their intent as a team who were down, but not out.

Lively William Oledorie got into the box and was brought down by the goalkeeper for a penalty and a lifeline – Michael Fenn strolled up from the back to take the penalty and converted into the top corner. 3-1 and the game has swung in the Kent school’s favour.

Full back Donald Cole had been getting forward well for St Columba’s and delivered a delicious cross to the back post which Callum Flynn met at full speed only to loop over the goal.

Donald Cole was involved only a minute later when he arrived in the box at the right time to put the ball into the bottom corner of the net and bring St Columba’s even closer to levelling the scores. 3-2 and St Columba’s have their fans dancing in the stands!

In what would be the goal of the season – Joshua Smith smashed a clearance back toward the Cardinal Heenan goal only to watch it loop over the goalkeeper but hit the crossbar and bounce clear. Inches away from levelling the score.

As both teams sought to gain control the game opened up and it was Cardinal Heenan who struck the killer blow, Captain Lewis Riley catching the perfect flick-on from a Kevin Cringle free kick to divert the ball past the goalkeeper and effectively end this final.

In a superb game on two halves, neither team could be faulted for their endeavour in what was a thrilling match for the spectators. Congratulations to Cardinal Heenan on their 4-2 victory crowning them U15 Boy’s National Champions. Well done to all the boys, staff members and supporters who were involved today and a huge thanks to Sheffield Wednesday Football Club for their hospitality.

Squads:

St Columba’s Catholics Boys School: Sean Doyle, Donald Cole, Callum Flynn, Finn O’Mara (C), Michael Fenn, Joshua Smith, Temi Eweka, Shai Thorley-Porter, Michael Adofo, Vincent Chukwu, Eze Ebuzoeme, Onur Karakas, William Oledorie, Josh Ufuah, Mayowa Sho-Silva, Peter Ogunbiyi.

Cardinal Heenan Catholic Sports College: Michael Hall, Ste Nauby, Jack Bennett, Joe Noble, Craig Wilson, Joe O’Brien, Kevin Cringle, Callum Lucy, Lewis Riley, Tom Grivosti, Shernick Grove, Sean Wilson, Luke Burgess, Jordan Laite, Daniel Kyffin, Kane Steel.

Photo courtesy of RWT Photography

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