Essex County FA report on their County’s Schools FA Girls U-14s and U-16s who shone at yesterdays ESFA National Finals at Nprthampton Town FC.
Coach Emma Burden is certain Essex Schools FA’s U-14s and U-16s Girls Rep Team players have “the potential to go very far” in the game following their performances in the English Schools FA Inter-County Trophy Finals against Lancashire on Wednesday 6th May at the Sixfields Stadium.
Lancashire won 2-0 on penalties following a 0-0 draw after extra time at Northampton Town FC in the U-14 Playstation Inter-County Trophy in the lunchtime kick-off. In the evening, it was 2-0 to Lancashire in the U-16 Girls Inter-County Trophy. But Emma, who is assisted by Jo Sibley, believes both should be proud to have got so close to lifting the silverware.
She also agrees that the talents involved have bright futures in the game: “Every single one of them has the potential to go very far in their football careers if that is what they want to do. Some individuals are already knocking on the door of the Elite Performance Camps which link with the England U-15 Squad, which is credit to them.”
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The U-14s’ fixture, under the guidance of Coach Sharon Brownlie and Assistant Abigail Fry, was very close. The conditions played a big part in adding another challenge for the players, with the wind and the size of the pitch being a factor. Both back fives were organised and positionally very sound, playing exceptionally well to keep the scores goalless until Lancashire eventually triumphed in the shootout.
Emma reacted: “The defence showed a maturity and organisation to remain calm and deal with whatever was put in front of them. Goalkeeper Grace Staunton made some remarkable saves and also stopped two Lancashire penalties! At times the girls played some great possession football in the midfield third. It was a great experience for a very young squad which should go a long way to help them in future finals.”
Later on the U-16s competed in a tightly-contested affair during the first 40 minutes, though the game opened up in Lancashire’s favour in the last 20 minutes of the second half. Lancashire were much more effective, playing direct, diagonal balls into the Essex box. Despite commendable performances from goalkeeper Jamie Lee Bamford and the unstoppable Olivia Smith, Emma’s team were unable to stop Lancashire for the entirety of the match.
Emma assessed: “We were unlucky and didn’t perform as well as we had in the Semi-Final. We had to play a few players out of position due to injuries and past experiences at national finals, which might have played a part in the game. England Under 15s and Barking Abbey student Olivia Smith was so committed for the entirety of the fixture and our goalkeeper, Great Notley’s Jamie Lee Bamford, pulled off some remarkable double saves on a number of occasions.”
“Massive thanks go to Jo from the Gilberd School for her help this season, along with both Sharon Brownlie [Barking Abbey] and Abigail Fry [Roding Valley] for their commitment and continuous professionalism to provide the girls with a great experience. Also thank you to our Sports Therapist, Sheila Macauley, who always goes above and beyond to ensure the girls receive the best in care and attention.”
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