English Schools' Football Association

Following a bumper week of action, the English Schools’ FA are thrilled that both the England U15 Girls’ and the U18 Boys’ International Teams have been crowned champions of their respective Home Nations tournaments. Following a bank holiday weekend Bob Docherty tournament victory for the U15 Girls, the U18 Boys duly responded by winning the Centenary Shield on Friday at The New Saints FC, Oswestry.

The ESFA are incredibly proud of the achievements of both International squads this season and hope this year’s successes will encourage more County Schools’ FAs to nominate deserving players to trial for 2016/17. Details on how you can get involved for next season and for more information on the matches from this year can be found here can be found at the bottom of this page.

U15 Girls’ Bob Docherty Recap

The Bob Docherty U15 tournament was hosted by the FAW at their Dragon Park training base in Newport. England were placed in group B of this annual six team home international tournament along with Wales 2002 and Scotland, whilst Group A would feature Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Wales 2001.

England got their Bob Docherty Cup campaign off to a positive start with a merited victory over hosts Wales (2002) at the superbly appointed Dragon Park complex on day one of the tournament (Friday 1^st). Katie Robinson converted at the back post to put England into an early lead and England added a second close to full time as the three lions broke quickly and Sophie Quirk stabbed home after slick move.

As England and Scotland met in game 6 (Sunday 3^rd) the game was a much closer affair. Having both won their opening ties, both teams knew that this clash would see the winner progress to the final. Despite creating several attacking possessions, England were unable to produce a good goal scoring opportunity and the teams went in level at half time. England went ahead early in the second half as Ellie Hack pounced on a loose ball from a corner to slot home for the first of the afternoon. The England lead was doubled as Jodie Hutton smashed her shot from 30 yards in off the post and England confidently played out the final minutes of the game and confirmed their place in the tournament final.

The Inspiresport Bob Docherty Cup final was settled by the narrowest of margins on Monday 4^th April.

For the second game running it would be Holly Manders coming off the bench who would prove to be the game changer, once again turning the tables in favour of the ESFA. A well-rehearsed English move eight minutes into the second period saw Manders finish off an excellent Sophie Quirk left wing cross which proved crucial in this crunch encounter. Ireland went close on a couple of occasions, with Olivia Clark making one full stretch save as the final whistle approached.

Full time was met with ecstasy and relief in equal measure as the ESFA lifted the Bob Docherty trophy for the second time in three years, a wonderful and fitting ending to the tenure of manageress Miranda Hall and Assistant Amy Westmarland.

The Trophy was presented to England in an awards ceremony for all teams who took part.

The squad comprised of: Rose Kite (Hampshire), Charlotte Fleming (Essex) Lucy Johnson (Leicestershire), Maya Le Tissier (Guernsey), Ellie Hack (Sussex), Asmita Ale (Warwickshire), Holly Manders (Cleveland), Jodie Hutton (Leicestershire), Libby Smith (Leicestershire), Katie Robinson (Cornwall), Claudi Zahui (Essex), Lucy Egan (Essex), Olivia Clark (Lincolnshire), Sophie Quirk (Berkshire), Megan Hunt (Staffordshire), Chloe Ryan (Durham), Sinead Samarczuk (Leicestershire) .

Team Management: Miranda Hall, Amy Westmarland, Andy Williams, Will Smith, Dave Burns

U18 Boys’ Centenary Shield Recap

The U18 boys’ team finished the season having amassed 10 points from 4 games. Three wins and a draw were enough to see them lift the Centenary Shield for the second time in three years.

Northern Ireland – England (Comber Rec FC)

The first half was largely uneventful with little goalmouth action. Both sides looked solid at the back but there was little controlled football from either team.

England shuffled the pack after 69 minutes and changed from a 4-3-3 formation to 4-4-2. Substitute Joe Thomas, playing out wide on the left, made an immediate impact by netting a close range header following great work down the right by Josh Shonibare.

The Northern Ireland team were not disheartened by going a goal behind and eventually forced an equaliser after 80 minutes play. The ball was fired forward into the penalty area and after a couple of blocks was eventually put in the back of the net by Northern Ireland substitute Nathaniel Ferris. The keepers were called on to make saves as both teams pressed for what would inevitably be the winning goal. After 88 minutes a rash challenge in the penalty area by a home defender resulted in a penalty for the visitors. Zak Lilly hit the ball firmly into the corner of the net to secure all 3 points for England.

Wales – England (Bangor City FC)

England started positively and controlled the tempo early on, as time ticked on the game opened up and both sides had chances as space became available. Just as England looked to be in control, disaster struck, when in the 35th minute, Welsh winger Nathan Wood scored directly from a corner as the ball looped in at the back post. The Welsh had their tails up after the goal and England had to hold on and show their resolve. As the half ticked into the final few minutes England capitalised on their own set piece corner as George Lamb found himself free at the back post to stroke home and level the scores before half time.

Throughout the second half the English continued to pepper the Welsh goal and the pressure finally counted as a low corner whipped in by Cianan Breen skidded off a Welsh defender causing a scramble in the box before Aaron Smith was on hand to stab home.

The continued pressure throughout the second half proved telling as the referee signalled the end of the game and confirmed an England victory.

England – Scotland (Fleetwood Town FC)

After a frantic first ten minutes in which England had the early chances, the game slowed with both sides finding it hard to create anything in the lashing rain. As the half ended both teams looked relatively happy to be going in goalless.

England carved open the first goal after an incisive breakaway with Smith slotting home after Shonibare's cross found him free in the penalty area. As Scotland were awarded a corner in the 65th minute they manage to fire the ball goal ward and as it skidded through two England defenders on the line ended up in the back of the net.

As Scotland eventually sunkdeeper toward their own goal, England launched the ball in from a throw in and as it was played back out to Aaron Smith at the corner of the 18 yard box he chipped a delightful shot toward the back post lobbing the keeper to put England ahead.

England v Republic of Ireland (The New Saints FC)

England pulled back two goals in the second half to clinch the point they needed for Centenary Shield success. Sam Grouse was the hero for England as the youngster was only on the park two minutes when he scored the vital equaliser to see the hosts lift the Centenary Shield for this season.

England had enjoyed three wins from three in their Shield endeavours and only required a point from this tie to see them victorious. And true to their recent form, it was another late comeback that secured the silverware for the Champions.

The Republic of Ireland got their dream start converting on three minutes and the Irish lead was doubled just before the interval when Dylan Grimes made it 2-0 to the visitors.

Once again, England manager, Andy Blight, made some inspired changes and as The Republic of Ireland lost their composure in the second half Aaron Smith started the comeback with a screamer from outside the box which flew past the Irish goalkeeper.

The English equaliser came two minutes from time as Joseph Thomas made way for Sam Grouse. The youngster managed to net the ball following a scramble in the box to take the honours for the season. The second goal, very late in the half once again, left the impressive Republic of Ireland team broken-hearted and the English players’ ecstatic.

The squad comprised of: Andrew Wycherley (Shropshire), George O’Malley (Middlesex), Samuel Orisatoki (Kent), Matthew Cook (Norfolk), Josh Wisson (Kent), Ursene Mouanda (Northumberland), Joe Thomas (Shropshire), Joshua Shonibare (Kent), Adam Grange (Hampshire), Cianan Breen (Devon), Aaron Smith (Greater Manchester), Sam Woodward (Hampshire), Ben Bradshaw (Leicestershire), Zak Lilly (Shropshire), James O’Halloran (Kent), Dan Lawrence (Wiltshire), George Lamb (Gloucestershire), Joe Hartshorne (Staffordshire), Sam Grouse (Leicestershire).

Team Management: Andy Blight, Ben Lavelle, Andy Norwood, Steve Wilderspin

How can I get involved?

The ESFA provide opportunities each season for talented Boys’ and Girls’ to represent their Country as part of the Schoolboy/girl team. The trials process begins early in the season (October) for those players nominated via their County Schools’ FA.

It is the expectation that players are representing their County team in the majority of cases.

If you wish to be considered for the trials process please contact your local County Schools’ FA Secretary or the ESFA office at office@esfa.co.uk for more information.

You can purchase replays of the home U18 matches online from 247 tv for £5 or a DVD for £10 and that photos from all events are available from 353 Photography.

Score Recap:

England U15 Girls’ Results

InspireSport Bob Docherty Cup

Dragon Park, Newport (1st April – 4th April)

Fri 1st: England – Wales (2002)

2 -0 Katie Robinson, Sophie Quirk

Sun 3rd: England - Scotland

2 – 0 Ellie Hack, Jodie Hutton

Mon 4th: England – Republic of Ireland

1 -0 Holly Manders

England U18 Boys’ Results

InspireSport Centenary shield

4th March: Northern Ireland – England (Comber Rec FC)

1 – 2 Joseph Thomas, Zak Lilley

18th March: Wales – England (Bangor City FC)

1 - 2 George Lamb, Aaron Smith

1st April: England – Scotland (Fleetwood Town FC)

2 -1 Aaron Smith x 2

8th April: England v Republic of Ireland (The New Saints FC)

2 - 2 Aaron Smith, Sam Grouse