PROVISIONAL DATES - SEASON 2010-11The 2010-11 ISFA U18 Representative Team will be selected following the annual North v. South Fixture on 28th November.
The following provisional match schedule has been arranged for the Full U18 Squad:
December - date to be confirmed
ISFA U18 v. MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
(Venue to be confirmed)
Sunday 6th February
ISFA U18 v. WELSH SCHOOLS
(The New Saints FC, 2.00)
Sunday 27th February
ISFA U18 v. THE ROYAL NAVY
(Victory Stadium, Portsmouth, 1.00)
17th-22nd April - provisional
Overseas Tour
April/May - date to be confirmed
ENGLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS v. SCOTLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
(Venue to be confirmed)
SEASON 2009-10
ENGLAND STUNNED BY BRAVE SCOTS
England Independent Schools suffered a most disappointing defeat in their final match of the season, going down 4-2 in the a2om Cup Independent Schools International fixture with Scotland at Tynecastle Stadium, home of Scottish Premier League club, Hearts.
The opening exchanges were even but England never got into their stride, with passes going astray and the defence jittery on the big occasion. At half-time the Scots led 2-0 with both goals hugely sloppy from an England standpoint.
England improved after the break and pulled a goal back when a corner was headed home at the near post by Alex Haynes. At last England began to find some rhythm and an equaliser seemed imminent. However, against the run of play, the Scots broke away and a looping cross sailed into the net at the far post to make it 3-1.
Larry Egunjobi scored a superb individual goal to make it 3-2 but, 3 minutes from time, the Scots scored a fourth goal from the penalty spot.
Poor defending, missed chances and a superb battling performance from the hungry hosts had combined to produce a deserved first ever victory in this fixture for the Scots over a disjointed England.
All photographs of this game are courtesy of RWT Photography. These and other photographs of the match and the post-match presentations, along with the match DVD, can be ordered from www.rwt-photography.co.uk or by ringing 01733 204445
England Squad
Jordan McBrair (Bury GS)
Joe Gritt (Millfield)
Alex Haynes (Manchester GS, captain)
Michael Brown (St Bede’s School, Hailsham)
Craig Laird (Millfield)
Ed White (Shrewsbury)
Patrick White (Shrewsbury)
Zac Rothwell (Bolton)
Charlie Hunter (Ardingly)
Tom Hurley (Millfield)
Ndu Chilaka (Repton)
Larry Egunjobi (St. Bede’s, Hailsham)
SUCCESS FOR ISFA ON POLISH TOUR
The ISFA tour of Poland (28th March–2nd April 2010) was very successful, with the Under-18 Squad winning 1 and drawing two against strong oppostion
ISFA 7 HUTNIK KRAKOW 0
This was a great result for the ISFA team against a very competent professional youth team. The first 40 minutes were very even and neither side dominated for long periods but the deadlock was broken just before half time when Ndu Chilaka opened the scoring. The second half however was very much a one way affair. The ISFA responded to the coaches and increased the intensity and accuracy of their play. Further goals by Ndu, who finished the game with 4 goals, Pat White (2) and Zac Rothwell (1) sealed a comprehensive victory.
ISFA 0 SMS KRAKOW 0
SMS Krakow is a footballing academy school drawing its players from the south of Poland . As the score suggests this was a very even game. The quality of play from both teams was excellent. Alex Haynes marshalled his defence superbly and Zac Rothwell and Charlie Hunter were prominent in midfield but the SMS team was equally resolute. Ndu Chilaka’s struck a superb shot that the post late in the game but a draw was a fair result.
ISFA 1 GKS KATOWICE 1
Playing against another professional youth team, ISFA U18 made an appalling start. The defence was caught static after just 4 minutes and GKS took the lead. ISFA soon gained control of midfield and pressurized the GKS defence but were unable to break down a well organized team until midway in the second half when an excellent turn and shot by Ndu Chilaka brought a well deserved equalizer.
Tour Squad
Jordan McBrair (Bury GS)
Andy Leech (Kings, Chester)
Joe Gritt (Millfield)
Alex Haynes (Capt) (Manchester GS)
Michael Brown (St Bedes, Hailsham)
Craig Laird (Millfield)
Ed White (Shrewsbury)
Patrick White (Shrewsbury)
Zac Rothwell (Bolton)
Charlie Hunter (Ardingly)
Robbie Williams (Shrewsbury)
Tom Hurley (Millfield)
Ndu Chilaka (Repton)
Sunday 6th February
WELSH SCHOOLS 1 ENGLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 2
at The New Saints FC
The England Independent Schools learned the lessons of the defeat to Australia 9 days earlier to record a pleasing victory over Welsh Schools in a tight and even game at TNS.
The Welsh took an early lead on 6 minutes but, unlike the Australian game, the ISFA side did not let this setback affect their game and fought back well, equalising when Ndu Chilaka beat the Welsh defence for pace and then slipped the ball past the advancing goalkeeper in fine style from the corner of the penalty area.
Shortly before half-time, Larry Egunjobi’s excellent run down the right ended in a cross which found its way to Chilaka who turned and scored with a fine left foot strike.
The Welsh came back strongly in the second half and became increasingly dominant territorially in the closing stages. However, despite their greater possession they seldom looked like breaking down the impressive ISFA defence and a morale boosting victory was secured.
All photographs of this match are courtesy of RWT Photography. These and other photographs of the game, along with the match DVD, can be ordered from www.rwt-photography.co.uk or by ringing 01733 204445
Friday 29th January
ENGLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 0 AUSTRALIA SCHOOLS 4
at Nantwich Town FC
29th January was an historic night for ISFA as the England Independent Schools took on Australia Schools at the Weaver Stadium, Nantwich Town. Unfortunately heavy rain led to the pitch at Nantwich being declared unplayable but the host club cancelled events on their 3G pitch to enable the game to go ahead and ISFA was extremely grateful to the generous hosts, both for this and their hospitality throughout the evening.
The game itself produced a slightly disappointing performance from the ISFA side and the Australians thoroughly deserved their victory. After a bright start, a close game looked likely but a sloppy goal gave the Australians a lift and they increasingly took control of the midfield while England side never recovered. By half-time it was 2-0 and it could have been more.
The second half saw an improvement but the Australians still added two more goals to complete a 4-0 win, while England seldom threated the visitors' goal. However, the disappointment of the result could not take away from an excellent occasion, enhanced by the fact that the Premier League’s top official, Howard Webb, was the match referee.
A collection was taken amongst spectators for
Help for Heroes and raised a total of
£355.99. ISFA is grateful to all those who contributed.
All photographs of this match are courtesy of RWT Photography. These and other photographs of the game, along with the match DVD, can be ordered from www.rwt-photography.co.uk or by ringing 01733 204445
Thursday 17th December
ISFA 6 SHROPSHIRE SCHOOLS 0
at Lilleshall National Sports Centre
The ISFA U18 squad were in fine form in their opening game of the season against Shropshire at Lilleshall.
ISFA had already created two excellent chances before Ndu Chilaka bust through from the left to score with a power strike. Michael Brown then made it two when he headed home powerfully from a corner. Chilaka outpaced the Shropshire defence to make 3-0 before half-time.
Shropshire rallied at the start of the second half but ISFA gradually regained control of the game and Chilaka completed his hat-trick before Michael Doughty's shot was deflected past the Shropshire goalkeeper. The scoring was completed by Zac Rothwell who rammed home the sixth goal from a cross after a fine move down the left.
