English Schools' Football Association

Anthony Gell now to take on Birkdale School in Round 2 of the Premier League U16 Schools’ Cup, following their 8 – 0 win against Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy.

4 October 2016

A low sun hit the pitch, two sides lined up, Gell in all black, Ilkeston in Orange. Gell kicked off and immediately showed intent to play football on the ground, playing the ball well out of the defence and into the midfield. At first, a chance was hard to create for Gell, as Ilkeston pressed high. The first chance fell to the Ilkeston centre-forward, but a fine save from goal keeper Jack Beighton denied them the lead.

The game was a dead heat until Gell midfielders, Lucas Brough and Joe Whitfield, worked the ball well up the left wing. It was fed through to striker Dan Bunting who squared it to his partner Lewis Higton. A sharp finish into the bottom right corner; 1 – 0 to Gell.

Ollie Crellin, Olly Bostock, Ollie Hetherington and Luke ‘Bambi’ Eaton – the Gell back four – were called into action for a spell following the first goal, as Ilkeston came on the attack. Miraculously, the score remained 1 - 0. It took a stunning through-ball from Brough that was poked in by right-mid Declan Kidger-Preston to bring about the second goal and a cross from Whitfield that found Crellin for the third. Argha Khyang controlled the centre midfield, getting the assist for the fourth goal scored by Bunting. Substitute Owen King scored with his first touch; a header into the bottom right corner. The half ended with another goal for Higton.

The second half brought less excitement with only two goals, a volley from Whitfield and a chip over the Keeper from Bunting. Frank Hodgkinson came on for Gell at right-back; a brick wall who was never passed by an Ilkeston striker. Cameron Maycock was also brought off the bench as a centre-forward.

Ilkeston continued to attack valiantly but could not penetrate the stunning Gell defence. The game finished 8 – 0, a scoreline that doesn’t reflect the efforts of Ilkeston. Nonetheless, Gell move through to the next round filled with confidence, ready to take on any challenges…

The ESFA would like to congratulate Anthony Gell on their first round win of the Premier League U16 Schools’ Cup competition and also thank Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy for their participation in the cup this season – hope to see you back again next year!

If you would like to see your match report on our website, send your report along with photographs to Sarah Kearney and we'll publish it online!

Match report supplied by Josef Whitfield, Anthony Gell School Year 11 Pupil