ESFA U18 County Cup National Final: Match Report

Friday 17 June 2016By ESFA Office

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

Sussex County Schools’ FA v Northumberland County Schools’ FA

This season’s Under 18 Inter County Trophy was contested by Sussex County Schools’ FA v Northumberland County Schools’ FA for the title of National Champions in the ESFA Under 18 Inter County Trophy. The second match to be held at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s Stadium.

The game started off slowly for both teams with Sussex just being on top after the first 10 minutes.

Once the pressure started for Sussex they managed to get themselves in front. A goal came as the ball fell to Bolton who rifled the ball into the goal from outside the penalty area.

Sussex kept the pressure on and after 18 minutes had a great chance to double their lead. They were awarded a free kick right on the edge of the area and the goal scorer, Bolton, stepped up to be in with the chance of his second, but the strong Northumberland wall was able to clear the ball from any danger.

Half way through the first half and Northumberland got their first chance to get into the game. The ball was hit from the right and a Sussex defender was on the line to clear the ball, but a second chance fell for Northumberland, but the same defender was in the right place again to make a double goal line save.

Northumberland kept the pressure on and 5 minutes before half time they hit the post. O’Brien struck from just inside the penalty area but his targeting was just off as the ball deflected off the post.

Northumberland were pushing hard to get back on level terms before half time, but the woodwork got in the way again. This time it was the crossbar that denied their goal. Northumberland tried to lift the ball over the keeper but it was just a little too high.

Sussex came out strong in the second half and it took them 50 seconds to get their second goal. A free kick was sent into the box and Henry Watson was in the right place to head the ball into the back of the net to put Sussex 2-0 ahead.

Northumberland thought they had won a penalty but the referee gave the free kick on the penalty area line, the ball was put into the box but the keeper rushed out and punched the ball clear.

Time was running out for Northumberland and with only 8 minutes left they hit the crossbar for the second time. A great strike from outside the area looped over the goal keeper and struck the crossbar to deny them for a third time.

With one minute to go in the match Northumberland are denied for a third time by the crossbar. Leach struck the ball with his firs touch outside of the box with his left foot but the ball skips the top of the crossbar out for a goal kick.

Sussex managed to get the clean sheet as Northumberland were denied by the goal frame 4 times in the match.

Both teams were presented with their medals and the Sussex captain lifted the trophy in the celebrations crowning them National Champions for 2015/16.

Team Line Ups

Sussex County Schools’ FA

1. David Carruthers 2. Jack Punter 3. Luke Emberson 4. Elliot Dollner 5. Henry Watson 6. Jack Whitmore (Captain) 7. Lucas Rodrigues 8. Ross Edwards 9. Charlie Coppola 10. Guy Bolton 11. George Cody 12. Tom Watson 13. Rui Buckland 14. Matt Hards 15. Harry Russell 16. Ryan Doyle.

Northumberland County Schools’ FA

1. Mark Strasshine 2. Ben Saw (Captain) 3. Jay Hornsby 4. Ursene Mouanda 5. Brandon Ferns-Kennedy 6. Kristian Sands 7. Billy Walker 8. Callum Uddgren 9. Brad Lowes 10. Jack Cooper 11. Lewis Xabires 12. Peter Leach 13. Jacob Shotton 14. Ryan Gardner 15. James McAuley 16. Lewis O’Brien.

Match Officials

Referee: Pete Wilson

Assistant Referees: Jack Prescott & Harry Warner

Fourth Official: Mark Warren

Photos from the game are available from 353 Photography to view the album, please click here.

A huge thanks to 247.tv for the live streaming of this match, to watch the match back in full please visit the ESFA TV YouTube channel.

Archived News

Seasons

Season 2015-2016

June 2016

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