English Schools' Football Association

Whitgift School (Croydon SFA)

St Francis Xavier's College (Liverpool SFA)

The game kicked off at Stoke City FC between Whitgift School (Croydon) and St Francis Xavier's College (Liverpool) in the U16 Premier League Schools' Cup and it didn’t take long for the rain to kick in, pouring down making the top surface very slippery and the play very fast.

After only 14 minutes a shot by SFX was deflected which took the ball just wide for a corner but was well defended by the Whitgift back four.

17 minutes in and SFX’s Nick Clarke took the ball to the edge of the box and saw an outside of the foot effort sail just wide of the left post.

The first goal of the game came after 22 minutes as SFX’s Michael Fearnehough headed the ball in from a cross. The ball was put perfectly into the centre of the penalty area for him to head past the travelling keeper to put SFX ahead.

After the goal went in it didn’t look like anything could stop SFX’s momentum as an instant double chance came just seconds after their first goal but the Whitgift defence stood strong to keep the team from Liverpool out.

The game seemed to be levelling out a few minutes later as a great chance came for Whitgift’s Andre Coker. He delivered a free kick right into the group of players but SFX managed to get up and head the ball clear to keep their lead intact.

Minutes later and Whitgift could have got their goal; Andre Coker took the ball from midfield and managed to get it through the defence to create a one on one chance but failed right at the end by putting the ball just wide of the post after the SFX keeper, Daniel Murphy, was beaten.

At the other end SFX had put themselves two goals ahead after Michael Fearnehough managed to break down the Whitgift defence to slot home for his second of the match.

SFX were pressing for their third but couldn’t get another one in before referee, Ryan Haynes, blew for half time.

Both teams came out for the second half with their managers words ringing in their ears and it only took SFX six minutes to put the words into action with their third goal, scored by Matthew Mottram. He took the ball out onto the right of goal and slotted it in under the diving keeper.

Whitgift were not giving up after the next ten minutes saw them get 4 attempts on goal, but none of them troubling the SFX keeper.

After many attempts off target, Whitgift managed to get one on target and a goal after 50 minutes of the match. Andre Coker took control and slotted into the goal from just inside the penalty area hitting it with accuracy into the bottom left of the goal. Andre and his team did not celebrate the goal as they sensed the comeback was on.

SFX replied to the Whitgift goal and their intense pressure after Charlie Short managed to move the ball through the defence but the rushing Whitgift keeper, Billy Parker, managed to dive low and take the ball from Charlie’s feet.

The game really was getting intense as the referee awarded Whitgift a penalty after one of their players was brought down inside the penalty area. Danny Bowry stepped up straight away to take the penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way by putting the ball into the bottom right of the goal.

After 64 minutes, Whitgift get the equaliser after a corner comes in and Fionn McManus glanced the header in from the centre of goal. SFX could not believe what was happening after being 3 goals ahead after 46 minutes.

Two minutes later and SFX could have been in front again as Ted Heard hits the ball hard and it seems to be going into the top corner but Whitgift keeper, Billy Parker, makes the perfect save to deny Ted his goal.

5 minutes to go and SFX tried for goal again but the box was full of Whitgift defenders and a keeper that came to collect. Then Whitgift get the chance to counter attack at the other end but the ball was put just wide of the post.

With 3 minutes of the game to go the pressure from both teams was impressive, but it was Whitgift that got the breakthrough to go ahead for the first time in the game. Lewis Scott put the ball into the net from just inside the box after a spill to put them 4-3 up.

The game looked all over and Whitgift would surely be taking home the trophy, but a late tackle in the penalty area saw SFX get a lifeline and a chance to level out the scoring at the very late stage of the game. Michael Fearnehough stepped up to take the kick and puts it into the bottom right of the goal after the keeper just gets a touch to complete his hat trick and make the game 4-4 with only one minute to go.

The last few minutes of the game were very exciting as both teams really were pushing for that winning goal, but both sets of players were clearly looking tired and could not find that goal to finish off the game meaning the game went into extra time.

After two halves of extra time, neither team could find the break through as players from both sides were just getting more and more tired by the minute.

SFX celebrate with the trophy

The game went to penalties which saw SFX win 4-2. The SFX substitute keeper, Tyronne Lewis, managed to save the penalty from Danny Bowry and Dinos Kalognomas hit the bar to see SFX win the game.

Michael Fearnehough presented with the Match Ball by Dave Woollaston (L) and Martin Heather (R)

Both teams were presented with a participation medal by ESFA Chairman, Dave Woollaston and Martin Heather of the Premier League and the captain of SFX was presented with the trophy to crown them National Champions for 2013/14.

Team Line-ups

Whitgift School

Billy Parker, Theo Reid, Dylan Burke-Hamilton, Dinos Kalognomas, Fionn McManus, Andre Coker, Danny Bowry, Lewis Scott, Rhys Amoah, Ollie Archard, Leshon Pitters, Oscar Melbourne, Jake Connaris, James Watkins, Shaun Connell, Toby Thomas. Team Management: Colin Pates (Head of Football), Steve Kember (Team Manager), Andy Martin (Head of Junior Football).

St Francis Xavier’s College

Daniel Murphy, Declan Nyhus, Tom Bruce, Liam Kennedy, Matthew Bainbridge, Matthew Mottram, Michael Fearnehough, Nick Clarke, Ted Heard, Oliver Sanderson, Charlie Short, Michael Swift, Elliot Hughes, Daniel Abayomi, Tyronne Lewis, Dylan Keating. Team Management: Kenny Glover (Team Manager), Andy Burke (Coach), Aindrea McDaid (Physiotherapist).

Match Officials

Ryan Haynes (Referee), Kareem Zaman & Dan Andrews (Assistant Referees), Bill Quirk (Fourth Official)

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

U16 Premier League Schools’ Cup Fixtures and Results.