Premier League Schools' Cup National Finals Report

Thursday 09 June 2016By ESFA Office

Last Updated:
10/02/2021 10:49:52

This season’s Premier League Schools’ Cup Finals were played at Manchester City’s Etihad Academy Stadium, adjacent to the Main Etihad Stadium. This state of the art facility proved to be a perfect venue to host 4 Under 16 Schools’ Cup Finals. The Under 16 Schools’ Cup and the Under 16 Small Schools’ Cups took place on Wednesday 4th May and the Under 16 Schools’ Cup for Girls and Under 16 Open Schools’ Cup taking place on Friday 6th May 2016.

Premier League Under 16 Schools’ Cup

This season’s Premier League Under 16 Schools’ Cup saw Thomas Telford School (Telford & Wrekin SFA) take on Samuel Whitbread Academy (Bedford & District SFA) for the chance to become National Champions.

20 minutes into the match and we saw the first goal of the day. Coming from Thomas Telford’s Number 7, Bradley Carr. The ball was pulled back from the touch line only for him to place the ball low into the keeper’s right corner to put the Shropshire side 1-0 up.

Thomas Telford weren’t happy with just the 1-0 lead as we saw 3 successive shots taken by their forwards, but Samuel Whitbread’s defence didn’t allow them to net their second goal.

Thomas Telford were in the lead for only 10 minutes when Samuel Whitbread Academy got the equaliser. A defensive error from Thomas Telford saw Samuel Whitbread’s, Sam Boggon, loop the keeper and put his team back into the game before half time.

After spending half time with their respective team managers, both teams stepped out onto the pitch for the second half, which saw Samuel Whitbread hit the bar. A shot from Cian Mitchell striking the woodwork to keep the game tied.

Thomas Telford went back in front with a strike from Dominic Moan. He took the ball on himself through the defence and struck the ball home from 6 yards to put his side back into the lead.

Samuel Whitbread’s frustration continued as a shot from team captain, Jack James, hits the bar. Which proved to be costly as only a minute after this, Thomas Telford got another goal. Dominic Moan scored his second after a scramble in the goal area to give his side a 2 goal cushion.

Samuel Whitbread kept on pressing the Telford defence until finally they got their second of the day. Cian Mitchell brought the ball in from the right wing and stuck the ball across the goal to pull a goal back for his team. With 5 minutes left of the game it was all to play for.

Thomas Telford eventually ended the contest with Dominic Moan completing his hat trick. He controlled the ball just inside the penalty area and stuck home to put his side 4-2 in the lead and complete his hat trick.

Thomas Telford lifted the trophy to be crowned National Champions for season 2015/16 in the Premier League Under 16 Schools’ Cup.

Premier League Under 16 Small Schools’ Cup

The second match of the day saw King Edward’s School Witley (Guildford & District SFA) take on Blacon High School (Chester SFA) for the Premier League Under 16 Small Schools’ Cup.

Blacon started off the stronger of the two teams in the game with an effort just over the bar with only 3 minutes on the clock.

King Edward’s made an early substitution in the game which saw Lukas Von Gleich take to the field, only to have a shot on goal with his first touch.

King Edward’s got more into the game after 20 minutes with a free kick which almost found its way into the top left of the goal, but the glove of Jake Dean kept the sides level.

All the pressure from King Edward’s had paid off as Max Bathelor took on a defender and the keeper to score putting his side into the lead before half time.

With only 2 minutes on the clock in the second half, Premier League referee, Mike Jones, blew for a penalty for Blacon which saw Captain, Brandon Burrows, comfortably score from the spot levelling up the game.

Blacon shorty added to their penalty goal with another strike from their captain, Brandon Burrows, striking the ball from inside the box to put his team into the lead for the first time in the game.

King Edward’s heads did not drop as more and more shots came at Jake Dean, until Max Batchelor scored his second goal after turning well inside the box and equalising.

The game went to penalties which saw King Edward’s School Whitley take home the trophy after every player on the pitch taking a penalty.

Premier League Under 16 Schools’ Cup for Girls

The first game on day 2 saw St Bede’s RC High School from Blackburn take on Kings’ School from Winchester for the title of Premier League Under 16 Schools’ Cup for Girls National Champions.

St Bede’s started the game very quickly and a strike from their Captain, Brenna McPartlan, put them in front. King’s keeper, Amelia Halfpenny, came to collect the ball, but Brenna slotted the ball into the back of the net from outside the area.

Five minutes later and St Bede’s went 2-0 up. Kaya Pottinger scoring from the edge of the box to give her side a comfortable lead.

In the 23rd minute of the game St Bede’s were given a free kick from 30 yards, which saw Brenna McPartlan step up to take it, only to loop the goal keeper and score her second and put her side 3-0 up before half time.

Both teams came out for the second half which saw St Bede’s with a 3-0 lead. This was then cut down to a 2 goal lead with a goal from Kate Wiseman. She took a free kick and stuck it well to find the goal to put her side back in the game.

Kings’ then cut the lead down to 1 as their Captain, Stella Gandee Morgan, took it upon herself to revive her team’s spirit and get the team together again with yet another goal from outside the penalty area.

Stella then went on to score the equaliser from a long way outside the area, tying the game up 3-3 with 10 minutes to play.

A free kick was awarded to Kings’ School and Stella Gandee Morgan stepped up to take. She struck the ball well into the air, which looped over the goal keeper to put her side 4-3 in the lead with only 5 minutes on the clock, celebrating with her team as the fantastic comeback was well and truly completed.

St Bede’s went on to equalise again in added time after a corner was put into the box. Kaya Pottinger hit the ball at the far post the tie up the game, sending it to a penalty shootout.

St Bede’s went on to score all of their penalties to crown them National Champions in a brilliant game of football.

Premier League Under 16 Open Schools’ Cup

The final game in Manchester saw Dorothy Stringer School from Brighton take on Thomas Telford School for the title of Premier League Under 16 Open Schools’ National Champions.

Thomas Telford opened the scoring just on 15 minutes as Morgan Gibbs-White scored as a cross came in from the right and struck hard into the bottom left of the goal.

Thomas Telford kept the pressure on the Brighton outfit with shots from Dominic Moan, who had netted a hat trick for his side in the game on Wednesday, but the defence took charge to keep him from scoring another goal in Manchester.

Dorothy Stringer then broke on the counter attack with Max Burkinshaw heading the ball from a cross which forced the Thomas Telford keeper to make a save.

Thomas Telford continued their pressure on Harvey Parker’s goal in the second half as Josh Hesson managed to put his side 2-0 just minutes into the second half. The ball was played back to the edge of the penalty area where Josh slotted in the ball.

Dorothy Stringer did everything they could to get the ball up to their attacking players, but the Telford midfield did not let anything go through. Forcing Dorothy Stringer backwards which led to Thomas Telford’s third goal. Scored by Josh Hesson, his second of the day to put Telford out of sight.

The ESFA would like to congratulate all eight teams on successfully making the PL U16 National Finals 2015/16 and further congratulate all four winning teams on becoming Premier League U16 National Champions this season!

The ESFA would like to thank the Premier League in their sponsorship of these competitions and the support both the Premier League, Manchester City FC and City in the Community provided us with in order to make these four finals such a great success!

DVDs of the games are available by going to 247.tv and selecting the relevant competition you require. These are available for purchase for £10.00 and include replays and full match commentary.

353 Photography caught the moments of the day and you can view and purchase photos by clicking here.

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