NOTTINGHAM SFA NEWS

5 February 2012

HONOURS EVEN AGAINST LEEDS

Two Nottingham Schools’ representative teams entertained their Leeds counterparts at Nottingham University’s Highfield Sports Ground on Saturday morning. Nottingham U15s were delighted to increase their unbeaten run to five matches with a 3-2 victory, while the Leeds Boys were 4-2 winners at Under 14 level.

The City U15s were well on top throughout most of their match, but somehow managed to concede two early goals. However the home side continued to play some excellent football and began to create lots of goal scoring chances. Finally they broke down the Leeds defence with Akeem Douglas (Nottingham Academy) scoring to make it 2-1 at half-time.

After the break, Nottingham Boys stepped up the pressure and were rewarded with a penalty, which was coolly converted by Joe Ellis (Bluecoat). The City team continued to push forward and eventually Casey Hodge (Djanogly Academy) fired home the winner.

Leeds dominated the first ten minutes of the U14 contest, but the Nottingham side also had their chances to open the scoring with a long range effort that hit the post. However, assisted by some sloppy defending, the visitors stormed into a 3-0 half-time lead.

Nottingham started the second half well and created several attempts on goal. The Leeds keeper pulled off three superb saves, before Tom Harrison (Trinity) fed a great ball through to Reece Peacock (Farnborough), who lobbed the keeper from 15 yards. Nottingham dominated the game from this point, but a Leeds counter attack made it 4-1. The City Boys never gave up and the Leeds keeper was again forced to make two more great saves, before Reece Peacock scored his second goal two minutes from the end.

END OF A LONG CAMPAIGN FOR BLUECOAT AND TRINITY

Hopes of a Nottingham school winning a national trophy were shattered this week, when Trinity U16 Girls and Bluecoat U14 Boys were knocked out of their English Schools’ Football Association K.O. Cup competitions.

The Trinity U16 Girls’ team had battled through to the last eight of their competition, which had begun with 246 entries nationwide. They had reached this stage with victories over Henry Fanshawe School (N.E. Derbyshire) 5-0, Carlton-le-Willows School 5-1, Meadowhead School (Sheffield) 4-0 and South Holderness College (East Riding) 3-2. On Tuesday afternoon, they travelled to play Countesthorpe Community College (South Leicestershire).

Trinity started well and created several goal scoring opportunities which were saved by the excellent Countesthorpe keeper. The home side eventually took lead with a powerful strike that gave the Trinity keeper, Alex Baker, no chance. Libbi Bexon was unlucky not to equalise two minutes later, but once again the keeper made a brave save. 

Early in the second half, Countesthorpe increased their advantage to 2-0. Trinity created lots of chances and shots on goal, but each time they were thwarted by the Countesthorpe keeper. With three minutes remaining a headed goal by Libbi Bexon gave Trinity hope, but it was too late.

In the ESFA U14 Boys’ “Premier League” Cup, which had an original entry of 804 schools, Bluecoat reached the last 16 with five victories to their credit. They had knocked out George Spencer School (Stapleford) 4-0, Hucknall National 1-0, Priory Ruskin Academy (Kesteven) 7-0, Tuxford School 6-5 on penalties and finally Holmfirth High School (West Yorkshire) 7-1. Unfortunately in the next round they were drawn away to the Cardinal Heenan School (Liverpool), who were last season’s national champions at U13 level. The match was played on Monday afternoon 30 January and although the Bluecoat boys fought bravely they were well beaten by 5 goals to 1.