BOLTON LIFT PIP BRAVE FOREST TO LIFT CUP

Bolton School won the 2009-10 Rensburg Sheppards ISFA U13 Cup when they defeated a brave Forest side 2-1.

Bolton had scored 26 goals without reply on their journey to the Final and started as hot favourites. They took the lead from a free kick on the right which was headed home by Harry Stevenson. They went 2-0 up before half-time when Natt Phillips showed some trickery in the box and finished with aplomb.

However, Forest came out with all guns blazing in the second half and shook Bolton who were under pressure for the first time in the tournament. A fine passing move ended with Daniel Adasonla pulling a goal back. Adasonla was a constant threat and he nearly equalised when he broke through 5 minutes from time only for Alex O'Donoughue to pull off a fine save.

So Bolton lifted the Cup - but Forest had plenty of reason to feel pride.


Bolton (white) v. Forest (navy)




Bolton take the lead



All photographs of the Final 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

MILLFIELD WIN PREP SCHOOLS AWARD

Millfield Prep School have been awarded the Rensburg Sheppards Prep Schools Award for 2009-10 after their achievement in reaching the semi-final, where they lost to Bolton School.

Chris Ray of Rensburg Sheppards said: "I was very impressed with Millfield's determination to keep playing football, even when the result was beyond doubt. For a team to do this when they have not been playing a great deal of soccer is a terrific achievement and a tribute both to the coaching and to the boys' ability to listen and learn. We recognise how difficult it is for Prep Schools to compete against Years 7 and 8 from senior schools and it is a great joy to see them prospering in the competition and reaching the later stages. This year Millfield have got further than any other before them in reaching the semi-final".

SEMI-FINAL HIGHLIGHTS

Bolton School and Forest School have qualified for the 2010 Rensburg Sheppards ISFA U13 Cup Final which will be played at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton Albion FC,on Thursday 4th March (1.15 pm).

Millfield Prep School have done extremely well to reach this stage of the competition but they faced a tough semi-final task when they were drawn to make the long journey north to take on Bolton School, who have looked extremely impressive throughout this season’s Cup – and so it proved. After an evenly balanced opening period, Bolton took the lead after 15 minutes and then added two more shortly before half-time. From that point on, the win was never in doubt and 3 further goals in the second half gave Bolton a place in the Final. Sam Hart and Dhanyaal Kahn both scored twice with Callum Parkinson and Nat Phillips adding the others.


Bolton (black/white) launch another attack

In the other semi-final James Barbour gave Forest the lead against City of London and they held on until the very last kick of normal time when the Citizens equalised and forced extra-time. However, it was Barbour again who scored the winner in extra time to take Forest into the Final.

FOURTH ROUND HIGHLIGHTS

Bolton turned in an excellent display in their tie at QEGS Blackburn and a talented QEGS team earned some sympathy for running into opposition in peak form. Sam Hart put Bolton two up in four minutes, completed his hat-trick in 18 minutes and finished the game with five goals in a 10-0 triumph, the other goals coming from Dhanyaal Khan, Michael Brookwell, Callum Parkinson, Mo Seedat and Will Dowie.


QEGS (blue/red) v, Bolton (black/white)

City of London burst out of the traps at home to Haileybury, took a 2 goal lead inside 12 minutes and then extended it to thee just before half time, Shandon Williams (2) and Victor Ezemo scoring the goals. Haileybury came back strongly in the second half and City were forced to hang on at times with the help of the crossbar and some fine saves from their goalkeeper. Hailybury eventually scored a deserved consolation with 2 minutes to play but it was City of London who went through 3-1.

On a wet and rainy afternoon Aldwickbury took a first half lead against Millfield Prep School. However, after the break Millfield looked the better side and equalised when Max O’Leary headed home from a corner. With the score 1-1 at full-time, Millfield pushed forward but were caught on the break and Aldwickbury took a 2-1 lead. However, with 3 minutes remaining and with Millfield pushing everything forward, it was O’Leary again who slid home the winner from a cross. O’Leary now went in goal and saved two penalties before taking the final Millfield penalty himself and slotting home the winning kick. Roy of the Rovers stuff!

Cheadle Hulme were the better side in the first half at Forest, Louis Rawlings gave them the lead and, although Forest equalised through an own goal, Cheadle Hulme scored again through Miles Addison and deserved their 2-1 lead at half-time. However, the game turned on its head in a seven minute spell at the start of the second half. First Faizaan Hussain nipped in to equalise and then a barnstorming performance by Daniel Adasonla clinched victory for Forest. First he turned and struck home a fine left foot shot and then he brushed off two defenders to score. Cheadle Hulme twice hit the woodwork but could not force their way back into the game.


Forest (navy) on the attack against Cheadle Hulme

THIRD ROUND HIGHLIGHTS

Alleyn’s were two up after 10 minutes in their match at Forest, with goals from Jesse Tyrell and Matthew Caseby. However, Forest gradually fought their way back into the game and Daniel Adasowla scored twice to level the tie before half-time. The second half was incident packed but no further goals meant extra-time and then penalties. More were missed than scored! - but Forest came out on top 3-1


Forest (navy) v. Alleyn's (white)

Berkhamsted and City of London served up another Rensburg Sheppards Cup thriller! Max Webber's header put Berkhamsted ahead after just 25 seconds. Shandon Williams equalised but Casey O'Gorman restored the Berkhamsted direct from a corner. Edan Salmon levelled the scores from the penalty spot after half-time and almost immediately put City of London ahead. Ollie Green's superb header levelled the scores again but almost immediately Awo Windapo's fine drive put City of London ahead again. Berkhamsted laid siege to the Londoners goal but, just before the end, Shandon Williams broke away to score a fifth. Cameron Barr was quite outstanding in goal for Berkhamsted and the second half was non-stop entertainment!


Berkhamsted (navy) v. City of London (red/black)

Bolton's match with Grammar School at Leeds was very even for first 20 minutes. However, once Khan had opened the scoring for Bolton, the second followed quickly from Philips and then Bowers made it 3-0 from the penalty spot before half-time. GSAL never stopped trying but Bolton passed the ball well and scored three more to seal a 6-0 victory


Bolton (black/white) on the attack against Grammar School at Leeds

Aldwickbury and Dulwich College shared nine goals in a fantastic match. From the kick-off Dulwich passed the ball beautifully and put the ball into the net after 1 minute. They continued to play well and found themselves 2-0 up by half time. However, Aldwickbury started the second half brightly and scored two quick goals through George MacGregor. Once more Dulwich took the lead only for Aldwickbuy to draw level at 3-3 with a well taken goal by Tom Galliford. MacGregor then completed his hatrick to give Aldwickbury the lead for the first time before Tom Carter scored a 20 yard screamer to make it 5-3. With just 2 minutes remaining Dulwich pulled one back but the Aldwickbury defence held firm to earn a deserved 5-4 win. What a game!

Millfield Prep had to make the long journey to Ardingly but appeared unaffected as the put on a merciless performance in a 7-0 victory.

Haileybury took the lead at Highfield after just two minutes and then spurned an excellent chance to extend their lead by missing a penalty before half-time. However, they went further ahead within a minute of the restart and this proved enough to see them home, though Highfield did pull a goal back with 10 minutes to play.

In a closely fought encounter, the opening exchanges of the match between Grange and QEGS Blackburn were evently matched. However, in the second half, as the worsening weather played and increasing part in the game, QEGS began to take control and Grange struggled to clear their lines against the wind. Two late goals secured victory for QEGS: the first a towering header from the excellent James Quigley, the second, from 25 yards, from the hardworking Alex Graham.

Cheadle Hulme stormed into the quarter-finals, scoring seven goals for the second round in succession, when they defeated St. Bede's College, Manchester 7-0, Wright hitting four of the goals.

SECOND ROUND HIGHLIGHTS

Highfield had never won a match in this tournament prior to this season – but they have certainly made up for it this year with two nailbiting victories, the latest a 2-1 win in extra-time against Thomas’s to take them through to the last 16. The dramatic winning goal came just 10 minutes from the end of extra-time!

Grammar School at Leeds came from behind three times to force a 3-3 draw and extra-time in their match at RGS Newcastle In extra-time, however, Leeds' superior power and fitness saw them take control and they eventually ran out 6-3 winners.

City of London took an early lead against St. Bede’s Prep but St. Bede’s steadied the ship in an even first half. However, the Londoners’ greater strength and firepower proved the difference in the second half and they ran out deserved 4-0 winners, with Shandon Williams scoring two of the goals.


City of London (red/black) v. St. Bede's Prep (green/white)

Bolton lived up to their reputation as one of the strongest teams in the north when they disposed of King’s School, Chester with a fluent and skilful display. Bolton were ahead after just 3 minutes and 2-0 up at half-time. George Law scored both goals and completed his hat-trick in the second half, with Sam Hart, Jay Topping and Michael Brookwell adding the others. Matt Holland made a string of fine saves in goal for King’s, who battled to the end, but Bolton proved just too good.

Aldwickbury started strongly against Keble School and early goals from captain Milo Knights, George MacGregor and Luke Dinwoodie before half-time appeared to put the game out of sight until a Keble goal just before the break kept them in it. Aldwickbury continued to look strong after the break and further goals from MacGregor and Dinwoodie saw them run out comfortable 5-1 winners.

Michael Williams opened the scoring for Latymer Upper against Alleyn’s but a hat-trick from Secon-Smith and another from Tyrell saw Alleyn’s waltz to a 4-1 lead before Zack Lowenthal-Issacs scored a consolation for Latymer.

In a very close game Forest squeezed past John Lyon 3-2, with Tayo Felstead scoring twice for the victors.

A very impressive Cheadle Hulme team defeated plucky Prestfelde 7-0, with Sam Carter hitting a hat-trick and Louis Rawlings scoring two. Prestfelde battled bravely to the end and where unfortunate not to score at least once, whilst Hamish Foden produced a brave performance in goal.

After an evenly contested first half between Haileybury and Chigwell, the game became more stretched in the second half as both teams went for the win. Haileybury dominated possession and missed a number of golden chances before finally breaking the deadlock with just a minute to spare.

In a tight match St Bede's College came out on top againsts Bury Grammar School by the odd goal in five. St Bede's midfielder Joel Murray opened the scoring from close range. Bury never looked like getting back into it until a defensive lapse led to the equaliser to force extra-time. A long range strike from Billy Gallagher saw St Bede's retake the lead, only for another defensive error to lead to another Bury equaliser. With penalties looming Ainsley Leopol James scrambled the ball home from close range to give St Bede's a narrow, but deserved victory.

Berkhamsted achieved one of the results of the season when they won 3-2 away at Brentwood. Brentwood took a first half lead but the game turned in a two minute spell just before half time when Max Webber equalised and then Charlie Gilhouley scored with a magnificent free-kick to send Berkhamsted in 2-1 up at the break. Webber added another in the second half and, although Brentwood pulled a goal, back it was not enough to deny the visitors a wonderful victory.

Dulwich College overcame a plucky Pilgrims team weakened by injury and illness. Dulwich deservedly led 1-0 at half time through an Alex Kelly goal. The second half was a much closer contest with both sides creating chances but Cameron Kelly took advantage of a hesitant home defence to score a well taken second for Dulwich. Pilgrims fought back and scored with a cracking 35 yard free kick from James Picton-Turbervill which flew into the roof of the net but, despite piling on the pressure, they could not find an equaliser to force extra time.


The Pilgrims (green/white) v. Dulwich (blue/black)

QEGS Blackburn enjoyed an excellent away win at Manchester GS. QEGS were dominant throughout and led 2-0 at half-time. MGS pulled a goal back from the penalty spot in the second half but QEGS added two more to run out 4-1 victors. Mohannad Azam and Zakary Dardouri scored for QEGS, who were assisted by two own goals.

FIRST ROUND HIGHLIGHTS

Orley Farm put on a brave display against Forest before going down 1-0. Forest had more of the play and scored just before half-time but Orley Farm had two of the best chances of the game when Forest were indebted to their goalkeeper and the crossbar.

Cumnor House started the stronger at home to Thomas's but the visitors took the lead against the run of play. After half time, however, Thomas’s scored again and Cumnor were always chasing the game after that. Kaiyam Minors-Dodds scored a hat-trick for Thomas's, while Will Cowley had a fine match for Cumnor.

Priory, making their debut in the tournament, went ahead against Prestfelde when Hayden Ali headed home a corner. However, Charlie Scott scored a fine equaliser and then second half goals from Jack Fox and Edward Paul gave Prestfelde a 3-1 win.


Priory (blue/red) v. Prestfelde (yellow/black)

Dulwich College surprised Hampton with an excellent 1-0 away victory. Hampton started the better but Dulwich managed to take the lead from an excellently worked goal, Alex Kelly adding the finishing touch to a good move. Hampton played some excellent football in the second half but a resolute performance saw Dulwich home.


Hampton v. Dulwich College

In a nailbiting match, which was a great game for the neutral, Highgate played some beautiful football but fell behind to Haileybury through a well taken goal from Calum Scutt. Highgate eventually equalised in the second half, only for Haileybury to score the winner with just 2 minutes remaining through Christian Scales.

King's School, Chester, were 2-0 up against St Mary's College, Crosby, but St. Mary's fought back well to level the match at 2-2. King's re-asserted their dominance in extra time to win 6-3, with goals from Sam Jones, Jack Powell, Cameron Faulkner and a hat-trick from Chris Anderson.

In another thrilling match Ibstock Place opened the scoring after 2 minutes against Highfield, heading home a corner. They then repeated the trick to go 2-0 up after 10 minutes. After 20 minutes, Ibstock appeared to have made the game safe when they made it 3-0. However, Highfield scored twice early in the second half to set up a classic encounter and the equaliser came with 10 minutes to go. Ibstock re-established their superiority in extra-time but could not score. The first five kicks in the shoot-out were all missed! The last five were all scored and it was Highfield who ran out 3-2 winners in a game to remember.

Aldwickbury dominated their match with Kimbolton but only held a narrow 1-0 lead at half-time due to some fine stops from Kimbolton's goalkeeper. However, goals from Luke Dinwoodie, George MacGregor (2), and Rory Armstrong eventually completed a 4-1 win.

There was little to separate Bishopsgate and City of London in the first half of their match but City of London scored just before the break and then ran out 5-0 winners in the second half. John Lyon hit four in their visit to St. Martin's, winning 4-1, with goals from Jake Lamour-Johnson (2), Robert Gibbons and Alex Aristides.

In front of a sizeable crowd The Pilgrims squeezed past Shrewsbury House courtesy of two second half strikes from strikers Will Docherty and Harry Hands. Shrewsbury House scored late in the game but could not grab the equalizer thanks to some fine goalkeeping from Dominic Judd.


The Pilgrims (green/white) take on Shrewsbury House (black)

Hereward House rued a first half penalty miss against Keble School when, almost immediately, Keble scored twice through Savvas Petrou and Zacary Apostolou. Hereward had chances in the second half but were enable to rescue the match.

There have been goals galore on the Rensburg Sheppards Cup, though sadly a few games have been a bit one sided. All credit to Frensham Heights and King's School, Ely, who battled away despite being on the wrong end of defeats at St. Bede's Prep School and Chigwell respectively. St. Bede's Prep hit 10, while Chigwell scored 11, with Conor Caplan and Joffe Bradley both hitting hat-tricks and Edward Tyler scoring twice.


Chigwell (in red) on the attack against King's School, Ely

Goalless draws are a rarity at U13 level but that was exactly what occurred - at least in normal time - when last season's quarter-finalists Elstree took on Millfield Prep - though Elstree had to thank goalkeeper Eddie Hamilton who saved a penalty. Millfield were on top for much of the match but came up against a very stout Elstree defence who ensured a 0-0 scoreline at full time. It was not until the second half of extra time that the deadlock was finally broken as Strutt scored a quick fire brace for Millfield who added a third before the end.

The match between Orley Farm and Forest was postponed due to serious traffic problems preventing Forest from reaching the ground.

Ardingly took a deserved lead from the penalty spot in the first half at Aldro but Aldro came back strongly after the interval. Ardingly added a second against the run of play and, although Aldro pulled a goal back, a disciplined Ardingly defence hung on to win 2-1. Meanwhile, Bury Grammar School won 3-2 away at Birkdale, Tom Gorton scoring twice for Bury.

In an exciting match, Hamilton Gmah put Sherfield ahead against Truro but the Cornishmen battled back to lead 2-1 at half-time. Ali Johnson equalised for Sherfield in the second half but a long range effort in the closing minutes gave Truro victory.

An impressive Berkhamsted side went on a goal spree at Westbrook Hay. Oliver Green hit a hat-trick and Max Webber scored twice as Berkhamsted won 7-1. However, the best goal of the match came from Westbrook Hay's Lanre Ladipo who danced his way through the opposition defence to score a delightful individual goal.


Westbrook Hay (maroon) v. Berkhamsted (navy)

Dover College scored three goals in just 10 first half minutes against Sevenoaks. Although Sevenoaks fought back strongly in the second half, scoring twice, Dover sealed the match with a fourth. Tyrel Mitford hit a hat-trick for Dover.

The first Cup match of the 2009-10 season saw Latymer Upper pip Rokeby 1-0 in a close and exciting match in which there was plenty of goalmouth action. Kaine Wright scored the only goal of the game 12 minutes from time to give Latymer victory.