Boys spot on to clinch historic National Schools title
TEAM manager Gareth Cousins described Aldershot & Farnborough’s National Schools final triumph as “absolutely incredible” after they returned from Worcester with the crown.
The U13s football squad beat 27-time champions Liverpool Schools on penalties in a dramatic shoot-out to win the trophy for the first time in more than 100 years.
The squad had previously won 14 games in a row before the final, which was delayed from the end of last season, and while confident the squad knew that the greatest challenge lay ahead.
The game began badly for Aldershot & Farnborough as they fell 2-0 behind after 20 minutes. It took a smart save from Dominic West and some excellent rearguard defending from Alex Faux, Isaac Humphrey, Hayden Stedman and Freddie Jamieson to keep the score to two and for the boys to stay in the game.
However, a short corner shortly before half-time between Harley Platel and Harry Gathercole led to a superb delivery from flying winger Platel which was nudged in by skipper Faux to reduce the deficit.
Liverpool extended their lead in the second half and at 3-1 the odds were stacked against the Hampshire boys. Matthew Pullinger went in goal and made two magnificent saves to keep his side in with a chance and after three close penalty appeals, Cousins’ side kept probing with Harry Greenwood, Alfie Thornett, Finn Parker-Swann, Josh Ewing and Thomas Neail pushing Liverpool more onto the back foot.
With eight minutes remaining, another tasty delivery from Platel saw Humphrey score with a powerful header at the far post to make it 3-2 before Salesian College star Faux volleyed into the top corner from 18 yards to take the game straight to penalties.
Gathercole, Jamieson, MilchevSzczepaniak and Aleksandrov all slotted, with Liverpool hitting the bar with the third penalty. It all came down to the fifth strike and vice-captain Thornett struck home.
Cousins, also head of PE at Salesian College, said: “The comeback is testimony to this squad. The team spirit, togetherness and teamwork is just so special. Even at 3-1 down with just eight minutes left there was always hope and belief. In the past seven years the association has won the Nationals three times, once at U13 and twice at U15, with one runner-up and two semi-final appearances. This is testament to the boys, parents and coaches, as well as some exceptional grassroots clubs. I am so proud of everyone involved.”