LSFA Report 2014-15
A copy of this report can be downloaded as a word document;
LSFA REPORT 2014-15
The Report of the Lancashire Schools’ Football Association Council 2014-2015
Presented by Mike Timberlake, Secretary, Lancashire Schools’ F.A. at the Annual General Meeting, Tuesday 16 June 2015.
Lancashire Schools’ F.A. Council Meetings:
During Season 2014-2015, the LSFA Council met on four occasions at the Lancashire Football Association, The County Ground, Leyland as follows:
Mon. 15.09.14. (9 present)
Mon. 17.11.14. (7 present)
Mon. 09.03.15. (6 present)
Mon. 18.05.15. (6 present)
Attendance at meetings was as follows:
LSFA Officers:
Chairman, Roy Blacktop : 4
Vice-Chairman, Paul Bradley: 1
Secretary / Competition Secretary, Mike Timberlake: 4
Treasurer, Andy Buckingham: 2
Senior Advisor, Mike Duffy: 3
Child Welfare Officer, Neil Yates: 0
District Council Members:
Blackburn and Darwen, Chris Bentley: 0
Blackpool, Ben Lavelle: 0
Burnley, Stuart Booth: 1
Chorley, Neil Black: 3
Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, Andy Kelly: 0
Lancaster and Morecambe, Dave McFall: 0
Pendle, Mike Timberlake: 4
Preston, Paul Whelan: 1
Rossendale, Roger Haythornthwaite: 0
South Ribble, Neil Gee: 0
West Lancashire, Nick Ford: 0
Co-opted Members of the Council:
Joel Callister: 4 Lancashire Football Association
Andy Clitheroe: 3 Team Manager, Under 16 Boys / Coaching Course Director
Stewart Clitheroe: 0 Consultant, Under 18 Boys
Keira Davis:0 Assistant Team Manager, Under 14 Girls
Andrew Mercer: 0 SGO Representative, Primary Schools
Alastair Mollon: 0 Assistant Team Manager, Under 18 Boys
Mike Nadal: 2 Team Manager, Under 16 and Under 14 Girls / LFA
Kate O’Neill: 0 Assistant Team Manager, Under 16 Girls
Peter Seed: 0 Parental Support, Girls’ Football
Roy Blacktop, Chairman of Lancashire Schools’ F.A. 2014-2015.
Roy joined the LSFA Council in 1974. He was previously Chairman of the association in 1977-1978, 1991-1992 and 2006-2007. This season Roy has been present at all council meetings and at just about every county match. He has also presented the trophy at almost every county cup final. Roy is gratefully thanked for all his work, time, effort, advice and wisdom offered during the season on behalf of Lancashire Schools’ Football Association.
The LSFA Council was represented at the following meetings during the season:
Lancashire SFA/LFA Competition Planning for FA Funding:
Joel Callister (LFA), Mike Timberlake (LSFA), Andrew Whitaker (LFA)
ESFA AGM, Aston Villa F.C., June 2014: Mike Nadal, Mike Timberlake
NCSFA AGM, Huddersfield, June 2014: Mike Nadal, Mike Timberlake
The County Competitions: number of entries.
Primary Schools League 7 associations
Luther Mercer Primary Cup 7 associations
ESFA District Qualifier 7 associations
ESFA Primary Schools’ Qualifier 8 schools
Wrennall Cup (Under 14 district teams) 6 associations
Lancashire Cup (Under 15 district teams) 6 associations
Under 12 County Cup 55 schools
Under 13 County Cup 54 schools
Under 14 County Cup 54 schools
Under 15 Boys’ County Cup 48 schools
Under 16 Boys’ County Cup 54 schools
Under 19 Boys’ County Cup for Schools 19 teams
Under 12 Girls’ County Cup 24 schools
Under 14 Girls’ County Cup 30 schools
Under 16 Girls’ County Cup 16 schools
LSFA County Cups Roll of Honour 2014-2015
Under 12 Girls’ 5-a-side Indoor Competition held at Montgomery High School, Blackpool
Friday 30 January 2015. Officials: P.E. Staff
Presentation: Mike Timberlake (Secretary)
Winners: St.Cecilia’s High School, Longridge
Under 12 Girls’ Open Cup (7 a side) held at St.Bede’s High School, Blackburn
Friday 20 March 2015. Officials: Kamran Jaffa (St.Bede’s), Greg Simms (St.Bede’s)
Presentation: Roy Blacktop (Chairman)
Winners: Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Under 14s Girls’ Open Cup held at Squires Gate Football Club
Friday 24 April 2015. Officials: Natalie Jacques, Courtney Hughes, Phil Rigby
Presentation: Mike Timberlake (Secretary)
Winners: Fisher More High School, Colne
Under 16s Girls’ Open Cup held at St.Bede’s High School, Blackburn
Thursday 11 June 2015. Officials: Fiona Shone, Courtney Hughes, Ellie Ditchfield
Presentation: Roy Blacktop (Chairman)
Winners: St.Bede’s High School, Blackburn
Under 12 Boys’ 5-a-side Indoor Competition held at the Blackburn Powerleague
Thursday 29 January 2015. Officials: P.E. Staff
Presentation: Roy Blacktop (Chairman)
Winners: Baines School, Poulton-le-Fylde
Under 12 County Cup (7 a side) held at St Bede’s High School, Blackburn
Friday 13 March 2015: Officials: Kamran Jaffa (St.Bede’s), Greg Simms (St.Bede’s)
Presentation: Mike Timberlake (Secretary)
Winners: Blessed Trinity RC College, Burnley
Under 13 County Cup (The Kay Cup) held at Squires Gate Football Club
Wednesday 22 April 2015. Officials: Courtney Hughes, Phil Rigby, Kevin Roberts
Presentation: Roy Blacktop (Chairman)
Winners: Southlands High School, Chorley
Under 14 County Cup (The Jim Tolson Cup) held at Squires Gate Football Club
Thursday 23 April 2015. Officials: Kevin Roberts, Norman Edmondson, Jordan Parkinson
Presentation: Mike Timberlake (Secretary)
Winners: Corpus Christi High School, Preston
Under 15 County Cup (The Jim Hayhurst Shield) held at Skelmersdale United Football Club
Tuesday 21 April 2015. Officials: Peter Ingham, Ed O’Donnell. Josh Pope
Presentation: Roy Blacktop (Chairman)
Winners: Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe
Under 16 Boys’ County Cup (The Daily Dispatch Shield) held at Euxton Villa Football Club
Thursday 23 April 2015. Officials: Phil Rigby, Mike Rigby, Josh Rigby
Presentation: Andy Buckingham (Treasurer), Mike Duffy (Senior Advisor)
Winners: Southlands High School, Chorley
Under 19 Boys’ County Cup (LSFA Shield) held at Squires Gate Football Club
Wednesday 22 April 2015. Officials: Dave Hesketh, Mike Rigby, Daniel Sanderson
Presentation: Roy Blacktop (Chairman)
Winners: Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
LSFA District Competitions Roll of Honour 2014-2015:
Under 15 Boys’ Lancashire League Winners (The Timberlake Trophy):
Winners: Blackpool SFA
Under 14 Boys’ Wrennall Cup League Winners (The Dick Clegg Shield):
Winners: Preston SFA
Under 15 Boys’ Lancashire Cup held at Turf Moor, Burnley Football Club
Thursday 21 May 2015
Officials: Dave Hesketh, Courtney Hughes, Daniel Sanderson, Phil Rigby
Presentation: Roy Blacktop (Chairman)
Winners: Preston SFA
Under 14 Boys’ Wrennall Cup held at Turf Moor, Burnley Football Club
Thursday 21 May 2015
Officials: Peter Ingham, Mike Rigby, Phil Rigby, Norman Edmondson
Presentation: Roy Blacktop (Chairman)
Winners: Burnley SFA
LSFA Primary School Competitions:
Under 11s Primary Inter-District League Champions: Hyndburn S.F.A.
Under 11s Primary Inter-District Cup (The Luther Mercer Shield) held at St.Bede’s, Blackburn.
Friday 12 June 2015. Officials: Daniel Sanderson, Norman Edmondson, Courtney Hughes
Presentation: Roy Blacktop (Chairman)
Winners: Hyndburn S.F.A.
The Under 11s Inter District 7-a-side Competition & ESFA Qualifier
Winners: Preston S.F.A.
Under 11s Primary Schools 7-a-side IDI Trophy & ESFA Qualifier held at the JMO Sports Park, Skelmersdale. Saturday 07 February 2015.
Presentation: Mike Timberlake (Secretary)
Winners: Salesbury Church of England Primary School
Results of the Lancashire Schools’ Football Association Finals:
Under 14 Girls’ County Cup Final:
Fisher More High School 4 St.Wilfrid’s High School 0
Under 16 Girls’ County Cup Final:
St.Bede’s High School Blackburn 4 Bishop Rawstorne 2
Under 13 County Cup Final:
Southlands High School 2 Darwen Aldridge Academy 0
Under 14 County Cup Final:
Corpus Christi High School 1 Central Lancaster High School 0
Under 15 County Cup Final:
Ribblesdale High School 2 Our Lady Queen of Peace High School 2 (After extra time)
Ribblesdale High School won 4-2 on penalties
Under 16 Boys’ County Cup Final:
Southlands High School 4 Balshaws High School 2
Under 19 Boys’ County Cup Final:
Clitheroe Grammar School 6 Baines High School 0
Lancashire Cup Final:
Preston 3 Blackpool 1
Wrennall Cup Final:
Burnley 3 Chorley 1
Luther Mercer Cup Final:
Preston 2 Hyndburn 2 (After extra time)
Hyndburn won 8-7 on penalties
The County Representative Teams:
Lancashire County Schools’ Football Association Under 14 Boys’ Representative Squad:
The following boys represented the county during season 2014-2015:
Jack Baxter South Ribble
Max Broughton Rossendale
James Cottam Preston
Kane Cullen Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Kyle Kirnon Preston
Louis James Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Olivier Jumeau Lancaster and Morecambe
John-Jo Morris Blackpool
Daniel Moss Blackpool
Precieux Ngongo Blackburn with Darwen
Hafizul Rahman Blackburn with Darwen
Nathan Shaw Blackburn with Darwen
Lewis Simmons Blackpool
Izhaq Theobold Lancaster and Morecambe
Kieron Whittaker Pendle
Rhys Williams Preston
George Wilson Rossendale
Ben Winterbottom South Ribble
Under 14 Boys’ Competition Results: P W D L F A
3 2 0 1 9 1
Friendly Matches:
v Preston North End F.C. at Preston Sports’ Arena drew 2-2
v Bury F.C. at Bury Grammar School won 3-0
ESFA National Trophy:
v Shropshire at Wren Rovers F.C. won 6-0
v Greater Manchester at the JMO, Skelmersdale won 3-0
v West Midlands at Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. lost 0-1 (AET)
The following boys were on standby for the Under 14 Boys’ Representative Squad:
Sam Barnes Blackburn with Darwen
Jack Fletcher Burnley
Kit Lloyd Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Cian Menzies Blackpool
Joshua Pollard Blackpool
Kasom Shah Burnley
Owen Watkinson Preston
Harrison Yeoman Burnley
Lancashire County Schools’ Football Association Under 16 Boys’ Representative Squad:
The following boys represented the county during season 2014-2015:
Jordan Ainsworth Chorley
Josh Ackers West Lancashire
Morgan Bacon Rossendale
Daniel Brady West Lancashire
Jack Burgoyne Blackpool
Carnan Dawson Blackpool
Will Fraser-Gray Preston
Billy Grogan Burnley
Bradlley Knox Burnley
Jack Little Burnley
Liam Markey Blackpool
Luke Moran West Lancashire
Ian Moss South Ribble
Mark Howarth Burnley
Liam Kealey Chorley
Reagan Ogle Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Jack Owen West Lancashire
Lewis Shorrock Blackburn with Darwen
James Sloane Chorley
Ross Sykes Burnley
Cameron Perritt Chorley
Joe Stanley West Lancashire
Elliott Walsh South Ribble
Alex Webb Lancaster and Morecambe
Under 16 Boys’ Competition Results P W D L F A
9 6 1 2 17 7
Friendly Matches:
v Preston North End F.C. at Preston Sports’ Arena drew 0-0
v Bury F.C. at Squires Gate F.C. lost 1-3
v Blackpool F.C. at Squires Gate F.C. lost 1-3
v Preston North End F.C. at Preston Sports’ Arena drew 0-0
Northern Counties’ Championship:
v Cheshire at Witton Albion F.C. drew 2-2
v Merseyside at Squires Gate F.C. won 2-1
v West Yorkshire at Wren Rovers F.C. won 1-0
v Greater Manchester at Crompton House School lost 0-3
Semi-Final v Northumberland at Bullocksteads Sports’ Ground won 5-4 (pens) after 1-1
Final v Durham at Eden Lane won 3-0
ESFA National Trophy:
R2 v Shropshire at Squires Gate F.C. won 3-0
R3 v Worcestershire at Pershore High School won 5-0
R4 v Greater Manchester at Wright Robinson College lost 5-6 (pens) after 0-0
Lancashire County Schools’ Football Association Under 18 Boys’ Representative Squad:
The following boys represented the county during season 2014-2015:
Ben Anderson Kirkham Grammar School
Joe Brown Preston’s College
Ryan Cattermole Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Chris Clinch Myerscough College
James Corbutt Cardinal Newman College
Lewis Cumpsty Clitheroe Royal Grammar School
Josh Emmott Alder Grange Sixth Form College
Mark Forshaw Preston’s College
Owen Futter Cardinal Newman College
Ellis Hancox Myerscough College
Jacob Higham Preston’s College
Owen Keighley Preston’s College
Regan Linney Preston’s College
Macauley Scott Darwen Aldridge Academy
Luke Tattersall Blackburn College
Sam Tucker Nelson and Colne College
Jordan Willder Cardinal Newman College
Geoff Wylie Blackpool F.C. Futsal Academy
Reece Young Blackpool Sixth Form College
Under 18 Boys’ Competition Results P W D L F A
4 1 0 3 7 17
Friendly Matches:
v Bolton Wanderers F.C. at Wren Rovers F.C. lost 2-3
v Blackpool F.C. at QEGS lost 0-5
Northern Counties Championship:
v Greater Manchester at Mossley F.C. won 2-1
v Merseyside at the JMO, Skelmersdale lost 1-2
v Cheshire at the JMO, Skelmersdale lost 2-7
v West Yorkshire Game not played
ESFA National Trophy:
R1 v Cleveland at Northfield College . lost 2-7
Lancashire County Schools’ Football Association Under 16 Girls’ Representative Squad:
The following girls represented the county during season 2014-2015:
Alice Adams West Lancashire
Justine Elliott Chorley
Natasha Fenton Blackpool
Karis Harrison Blackpool
Megan Hester Blackburn with Darwen
Ellie Hilton Chorley
Olivia Hooper Blackburn with Darwen
Alicia Johnson Blackburn and Darwen
Niamh MacGabhann West Lancashire
Katie Maher Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Annabel Mayson Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Brenna McPartlan Blackburn with Darwen
Jessica Rawstron Pendle
Olivia Rees Chorley
Katie Samuels Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Rebecca Smith Preston
Erin Staunton-Turner West Lancashire
Lucy Staunton-Turner West Lancashire
Olivia Wilkes South Ribble
Olivia Wilson Blackburn with Darwen
Under 16 Girls’ Competition Results: P W D L F A
9 8 1 0 27 6
Friendly Match:
v Worcestershire at Littleton F.C. won 4-0
Northern Counties Championship:
v Merseyside at Wren Rovers F.C. won 6-0
v West Yorkshire at the JMO, Skelmersdale won 3-0
v Greater Manchester at Mossley F.C. won 2-0
v Cheshire at Nantwich Town F.C. drew 1-1
Semi-Final v Northumberland at Padiham F.C. won 7-2
Final v Cheshire at Padiham F.C. won 6-5 (pens) after 1-1
ESFA National Trophy
Quarter-Final v Nottinghamshire at Squires Gate F.C. won 1-0
Semi-Final v Cheshire at Nantwich Town F.C. won 4-2
Final v Essex at Northampton Town F.C. won 2-0
Lancashire County Schools’ Football Association Under 14 Girls’ Representative Squad: The following girls represented the county during season 2014-2015
Emma Bradley Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Eve Clarkson Blackburn and Darwen
Caitlin Gerrard Pendle
Madison Hadley Blackpool
Naomi Hartley Burnley
Madison Mckenna Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Sadie Mitchell Pendle
Kaya-Lilly Pottinger Blackburn with Darwen
Olivia Powell West Lancashire
Mel Robertson South Ribble
Amelia Size West Lancashire
Ellie Spooner Blackpool
Ebony Stinson Blackburn wih Darwen
Eve Sutcliffe South Ribble
Kimberley Sykes Burnley
Hannah Walsh South Ribble
Courtney Willis West Lancashire
Courtney Woodhead Chorley
Emily Yeoman Hyndburn and Ribble Valley
Under 14 Girls’ Competition Results: P W D L F A
9 8 1 0 24 1
Friendly Match:
v Worcestershire at Littleton F.C. won 3-0
Northern Counties’ F.A. Festival at Rotherham:
v South Yorkshire won 2-0
v Durham won 2-0
v Merseyside won 1-0
v Cheshire drew 0-0
v Cumbria won 1-0
SFA National Trophy
R2 v Cheshire at the JMO Skelmersdale won 4-0
Quarter-Final v South Yorkshire at the JMO Skelmersdale won 6-1
Semi-Final v Merseyside at Liverpool Soccer Centre won 3-0
Final v Essex at Northampton Town F.C. won 2-0 (pens) after 0-0
Report on Season 2014-2015:
Season 2014-2015 was once again a highly successful season for Lancashire Schools’ Football Association.
Once again, the facts speak for themselves:
Under 14 Girls: ESFA National Champions (for the third successive year) and ‘winners’ of the NCSFA Under 14 Festival of Football.
Under 16 Girls: ESFA National Champions and NCSFA Champions (for the fourth successive year).
Under 16 Boys: NCSFA Winners and ESFA Quarter-Finalists.
Under 14 Boys: ESFA Quarter-Finalists.
The combined results in competitive matches of our five county teams reveal the following statistics:
Played: 34
Won: 25
Drawn: 3
Lost: 6
Goals For: 84
Goals Against: 32
If we were to discount the performances of our Under 18 Boys who had a disappointing
Season, the combined results of our Under 14 and Under 16 county teams are even more impressive:
Played: 30
Won: 24
Drawn: 3
Lost: 3
Goals For: 77
Goals Against: 15
In Lancashire we continue to be privileged to have fully committed, enthusiastic, knowledgeable and professional Management Teams to guide our boys and girls to achieve their highest possible potential. The members of our Management Teams, all of whom are fully employed, selfishly give up their leisure time to enable our county teams to achieve the magnificent results stated above.
The members of our Management Teams, who deserve the highest possible praise, are:
Under 14 Boys: Neil Black, Andy Buckingham, Andy Kelly
Under 16 Boys: Andy Clitheroe, Stuart Booth, Roger Haythornthwaite
Under 18 Boys: Paul Bradley, Andy Buckingham, Alistair Mollon
Under 14 Girls: Mike Nadal, Keira Davis, Sam Yates
Under 16 Girls: Mike Nadal, Kate O’Neill, Sam Yates
Lancashire Schools’ F.A. County Team: a few interesting facts!
- 1. Lancashire Under 14 Girls won the English Schools’ Football Association Inter-County Trophy for the third successive year having reached the final during the past four years
- 2. Lancashire Under 14 Girls have defeated Kent (twice) and Essex in the past three ESFA Finals having lost their first final to Essex.
- 3. Lancashire Under 14 Girls remained unbeaten at the inaugural Northern Counties’ Inter-County Festival organised by South Yorkshire SFA at Rotherham with victories over South Yorkshire, Durham, Merseyside and Cumbria and a draw against Cheshire.
- 4. Lancashire Under 14 Girls remained unbeaten during season 2014-2015.
- 5. Lancashire Under 14 Girls conceded only one goal in 300 minutes of football during season 2014-2015.
- 6. Lancashire Under 16 Girls won the English Schools’ Football Association Inter-County for the first time by beating Essex, having lost narrowly in two previous finals to Hampshire and Essex.
- 7. Lancashire Under 16 Girls won the Northern Counties’ Inter-County Championship for the fourth successive year, having reached the final during the past five years and losing their first final to Durham.
- 8. Lancashire Under 16 Girls have now defeated four different counties in the past four Northern Counties’ Finals: Durham, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
- 9. Lancashire Under 16 Girls remained unbeaten during season 2014-2015.
10. Since Mike Nadal and his management teams started the Lancashire Girls’ Teams five years ago, they have competed in 12 finals and have won 8 trophies!
11. Lancashire Under 16 Boys won the Northern Counties’ Inter-County Championship for the tenth time, having reached the final on nineteen occasions.
12. Lancashire Under 14 Boys reached the Quarter-Final of the English Schools’ Football Association Inter-County Trophy in their inaugural year.
13. Lancashire Under 14 Boys only conceded one goal in 230 minutes of football in the ESFA Trophy during season 2014-2015. Unfortunately the goal was conceded in the last minute of extra time in their Quarter Final match against West Midlands!
14. Lancashire Under 16 Boys went out of the ESFA Trophy at the Quarter-Final stage despite not conceding a goal for 260 minutes of football in the competition during normal playing time!
Lancashire Under 14 Schoolgirls.
Lancashire Under 14 Girls won the English Schools’ Football Association Inter-County Trophy for the third successive year having reached the final for the fourth successive year – a remarkable achievement!
Following thorough selection trials, training and a tough friendly match away to Worcestershire, which Lancashire won 3-0, the Management Team of Mike Nadal and Keira Davis were able to select the squad of girls destined to become the best squad in the country.
Following two comfortable home victories against Cheshire (4-0) and South Yorkshire (6-1), with both games being played on the 3G pitch at the JMO Sports’ Park in Skelmersdale, the Lancashire girls faced a tough-looking semi-final game away to Merseyside. After a bruising encounter at the Liverpool Soccer Centre, Lancashire ran out worthy winners by three clear goals but also ended the game with three injured players.
Thorough preparation for the ESFA Final included both a training session at St.George’s Park and the inaugural Northern Counties Schools’ Football Association’s Under 14 Girls’ Festival in Rotherham organised by South Yorkshire Schools’ F.A. The Lancashire Girls showed their quality and commitment at the festival by beating South Yorkshire, Durham, Merseyside and Cumbria and by drawing with Cumbria to effectively win the festival.
In the English Schools’ F.A. Final at Sixfields, the home of Northampton Town F.C., the Lancashire Girls became the National Champions by beating Essex 2-0 on penalties after the game ended goalless after extra time. Essex were in fact the last team to beat Lancashire in the 2012 National Final but on this occasion Lancashire, having created many chances to score during normal time and extra time, were full value for the victory with Ebony Stinson and Kim Sykes the only two girls to score from the penalty spot.
Remarkably Lancashire only conceded one goal (to South Yorkshire) and remained undefeated during the whole of season 2014-2015.
Well done girls!
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to thank the girls for representing the county during the past season and we look forward to watching them display their skills either at Under 14 or Under 16 level next season.
Lancashire Under 16 Schoolgirls.
Lancashire Under 16 Girls also achieved great success this season by winning the English Schools’ Football Association Trophy for the first time having lost out in two previous finals. The girls also won the Northern Counties Schools’ Trophy for the fourth successive year having been in the final for the last five years.
Following the trials, the Management Team of Mike Nadal and Kate O’Neill were able to select a strong squad of girls with some girls having played for the county during the previous season at either Under 16 or Under 14 level.
After a successful friendly match away to Worcestershire, which Lancashire won 4-0, the Lancashire girls comfortably defeated a Merseyside team under new management 6-0 before
facing three tough opponents in West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire. Hard-fought victories over West Yorkshire by 3 goals to nil and over Greater Manchester by 2 goals to nil as well as a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Cheshire away resulted in Lancashire winning the North-West Group and earning a home semi-final on a cold night at Padiham Football Club. Lancashire ran out easy 7-2 winners over Northumberland to qualify for the NCSFA Final and the ESFA Quarter-Final.
Following a training session at St.George’s Park, Lancashire were somewhat fortunate to beat Cheshire 6-5 on penalties with the scores level 1-1 after extra time at Padiham Football Club to retain the Northern Counties’ Trophy for the fourth successive year.
Having qualified for the ESFA Trophy by beating Northumberland in the NCSFA semi-final, the Lancashire girls were rewarded with a tough quarter-final draw against last year’s ESFA Champions Nottinghamshire who had knocked Lancashire out of last year’s competition. Despite key players missing through injury, Lancashire fully deserved their narrow 1-0 victory with a last-minute goal from a superb Natasha Fenton free-kick. Lancashire also had a difficult draw in the semi-final against Cheshire away but again fully deserved their 4-2 victory to go through to the final.
In the English Schools’ F.A. Final at Sixfields, the home of Northampton Town, the Lancashire Girls then achieved the NCSFA and ESFA double by beating Essex 2-0 in a hard-fought match in which Lancashire were the dominant team. After Lucy Staunton-Turner had hit the post and Brenna McPartlan had skimmed the crossbar, Katie Samuels finally broke the deadlock with a fine header from an Ali Johnson corner. Brenna McPartlan then secured Lancashire’s victory with a fine chip over the Essex keeper.
The Under 16 girls, like the Under 14 girls, remained undefeated during the whole of season 2014-2015, a remarkable achievement.
Well done girls!
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to thank the girls for entertaining us throughout the season with their superb footballing skills. We look forward to watching some of the girls play for Lancashire next season and wish the girls who are leaving school every success in their future lives and careers. We hope that they continue to play football at the highest possible level.
Lancashire Under 14 Schoolboys.
Lancashire Schools’ F.A. fielded an Under 14 Boys’ County Team for the first time in their history. Following the coaching course and trial matches against Preston North End F.C. (2-2) and Bury F.C. (3-0), the Management Team of Neil Black, Andy Buckingham and Andy Kelly were able to select a very strong squad with plenty of promise for the forthcoming season.
The Lancashire boys dominated their first competitive match against Shropshire at Wren Rovers F.C. After creating many first-half chances a three goal burst just before half-time gave Lancashire a comfortable lead at the interval. Lancashire continued to hold the upper hand in the second half and doubled their tally to run out 6-0 winners.
In the second round Lancashire defeated a strong Greater Manchester team on a wind-affected game at the JMO Skelmersdale. Lancashire defended well against the strong wind in the first half and the game was goalless at half-time thanks to an incredible save from keeper James Cottam just before half-time. Three second half goals saw Lancashire safely through to the next round.
The quarter-final draw meant that Lancashire had to travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. training ground to face West Midlands. Despite having most of the play and creating the better chances throughout normal play and extra time, the Lancashire boys cruelly lost the game in the last minute of extra time when West Midlands scored the only goal of the game.
It was a disappointing end to the season but the boys performed well throughout the season and showed tremendous commitment to Lancashire Schools’ F.A. It is hoped that we keep most of the group together at Under 15 level and would envisage that many of the boys will play for Lancashire Under 16 Boys in the future.
Well done boys!
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to thank the boys for representing the county during the past season and we look forward to meeting them again during the next two seasons.
Lancashire Under 16 Schoolboys.
Lancashire Under 16 Boys emulated the Under 16 girls by also winning the Northern Counties’ Trophy by defeating ESFA National Champions Durham 3-0 at the Eden Lane Ground in the final. The boys also reached the ESFA Quarter-Final cruelly losing on penalties to Greater Manchester.
Following the coaching course and trial matches against Preston North End F.C., Bury F.C. and Blackpool F.C., the Management Team of Andy Clitheroe, Stuart Booth and Roger Haythornthwaite were able to select a strong squad for the coming season.
The boys opened the season with an encouraging draw away to Cheshire and qualified for the semi-final of the Northern Counties’ Championship with two hard-fought home victories against Merseyside and West Yorkshire despite losing to Greater Manchester away in the final group match. Two tremendous victories away to Northumberland in the semi-final and against Durham in the final, both games affected by a strong wind up in the north-east, saw the Lancashire boys return home with the NCSFA Trophy for the tenth time, having completed in nineteen finals since 1967-68.
In the English Schools’ F.A. Trophy, Lancashire started confidently with a 3-0 home win against Shropshire, despite having to play most of the game with only ten boys on the field of play. The next round saw Lancashire convincing 5-0 winners away to Worcestershire on a tight and worn 3G pitch at Pershore High School. The home team started well but the Lancashire boys overcame their physical approach to the game with superior footballing skills and ran out easy winners. The quarter-final draw brought together the two finalists from the previous two seasons, Lancashire and Greater Manchester. After many difficulties in arranging the game with poor communication from Greater Manchester, the game was finally played in early February on the 3G pitch at Wright Robinson College. Despite having the better chances during the game, which finished 0-0 after extra time, Lancashire managed to lose 5-6 on penalties. With the score at 5-5 after the first ten penalties, Greater Manchester missed their sixth penalty and Lancashire only need to score their sixth penalty to go through to the semi-final. However, Lancashire missed their sixth penalty. Greater Manchester and Lancashire again both missed their seventh penalties but Greater Manchester scored their eighth penalty and Lancashire missed theirs, enabling Greater Manchester to proceed to the semi-final! So near and yet so far!!
Unusually Lancashire had gone out of the ESFA Trophy without conceding a goal during normal playing time! Nevertheless, the Lancashire boys performed well all season, despite some difficulties with the release of boys from professional clubs, giving Andy Clitheroe an encouraging start in his first season as the Lancashire Team Manager.
Well done boys!
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to thank the boys for representing the county during the past season and wish them every success as they embark on the next stage of their careers.
Lancashire Under 18 Schoolboys.
Following the trials and friendly matches against Bolton Wanderers F.C. and Blackpool F.C., the Management Team of Paul Bradley, Andy Buckingham and Alastair Mollon were able to select a squad for the first competitive game away to Cleveland in the first round of the ESFA Trophy. Cleveland, crowned NCSFA Champions later in the season, proved to be too strong for the Lancashire boys and ran out easy winners despite an even first half.
In the Northern Counties’ Competition Lancashire recorded an encouraging, if somewhat fortunate, victory away to Greater Manchester but then lost narrowly to Merseyside in their first home game. In what proved to be their final game of the season, Lancashire lost heavily to Cheshire.
For the first time for a long time, a Lancashire county game was not played and was declared null and void when West Yorkshire were unable to travel to Lancashire to play the game.
The 2014-2015 season was a disappointing season for Lancashire Under 18 Boys. There is a lack of commitment by boys to play for the county at this level and all parties would benefit from improved communication during the season.
Lancashire Schools’ Football Association would like to thank the boys who played for the team during the season. Some of the boys will be available to play again next season and we wish the boys who are leaving their school or college every success in their future lives and careers.
St.Bede’s High School, Blackburn
LSFA would like to congratulate St. Bede’s High School, Blackburn on winning the ESFA Under 16 Girls’ Trophy from an initial entry of 271 schools by emphatically beating Stratford upon Avon School 7-2 in the final at St. Andrew’s Stadium, the home of Birmingham City F.C.
Ribblesdale High School, Clitheroe.
LSFA would like to congratulate Ribblesdale High School on reaching the final of the ESFA Under 15 Open Schools’ Cup from an initial entry of 81 schools. Although they lost heavily to Coombe Boys’ School in the final, Ribblesdale successfully negotiated the previous six rounds to reach the final.
Myerscough College.
LSFA would like to congratulate Myerscough College on reaching the final of the ESFA Colleges’ Trophy from an initial entry of 100 colleges. Although Myerscough were the better team in the final, they lost out in unusual circumstances to Hartpury College after extra time.
The LSFA County Cup Finals and District Finals.
The county cup finals were mainly played at Squires Gate Football Club, Blackpool. The Under 16 County Cup Final was played at Euxton Villa F.C. and the Under 15 County Cup Final was played at Skelmersdale United F.C. The Under 12 seven a side Finals (boys and girls) were again played at St.Bede’s High School Blackburn. The Under 12 five a side Finals were played at Montgomery High School (girls) and the Blackburn Power League (boys). The Under 11 District Finals were played at Accrington and Rossendale College and the Under 11 Schools’ Finals were played at the JMO, Skelmersdale. There were many excellent cup finals and we are very grateful to all clubs, schools and colleges for allowing us to stage our finals at excellent venues.
We are extremely grateful to Burnley Football Club for allowing us to use Turf Moor for the Lancashire and Wrennall Cup Finals.
Discipline.
LSFA has opted in to the ESFA centrally managed discipline season. All discipline reports in Lancashire should now be sent to ESFA and dealt with accordingly by them. It is essential that all schools and districts continue to be aware of this new procedure for the coming season. At count level there were very few problems of discipline with a few yellow cards being awarded to county players in various matches although one boy received a red card at Under 16 level.
Finance.
Despite reaching three national finals and two northern counties’ finals and playing 44 county matches (including friendly matches and the South Yorkshire festival (for the Under 14 girls), the finances of the association are still healthy at the end of the season. LSFA are very grateful to the grants from ESFA and NCSFA which help to cover the cost of travel to away games and also pay for grounds, officials and refreshments for our home games. We manage to stage schools’ cup finals with only a small loss and we thank the vast majority of parents and other supporters for willingly paying to watch the teams perform.
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