Schools make early progress in knockout competitions

THE Nottinghamshire Schools’ FA has one of the largest individual school programmes in the country, with knockout competitions at 14 age groups as well as four tournaments for primary schools which lead to regional and national rounds. This season’s 1st round games have benefited from the continued good weather with Ellis Guilford (Basford) beating East Leake 1-0 and the new Newark Academy winning 3-0 at Tuxford in the Under 16 Hawkins Cup.

Carlton-le-willows Academy had a 1st Round bye in the same competition but a hat-trick by Josh Gardner saw them progress to Round 3 with a 3-1 victory over Nottingham Academy. Other teams to reach this stage are West Bridgford 3-1 winners at Arnold Hill and Joseph Whitaker, (Rainworth) who won 11-0 at Outwood (Portland (Worksop).

The pattern is similar in the corresponding Under 16 event for girls, the Hilary Swinn Cup with three schools through to Round 3, West Bridgford who beat Newark Academy 2-0, Arnold Hill 8-0 victors over South Wolds (Keyworth) and Joseph Whitaker who won 6-2 at Tuxford. Whitaker and Bridgford will now meet each other in Round 3.

In the major competitions for primary schools, the Notts County Football in the Community Shield, holders West Bridgford Junior School went out in Round 1 to Gedling Parkdale. Other successes came from Crossdale Drive (Keyworth) who won 3-2 at Nottingham High School, Arnold View, 3-0 winners against Lady Bay and Robert Miles (Bingham) who defeated Redlands (Worksop) 2—0.

In one of the numerous smallsided competitions staged by the City Schools’ FA, 12 schools competed in the Under 11 Girls’ competition at the Forest Zone. Two leagues produced semi-finals of Southwark v Whitemoor and Berridge v Fernwood. Whitemoor went through 1-0 and met Berridge in the final with the latter winning the trophy on penalties.

On the representative scene, Nottingham and Grimsby shared the spoils in Under 15 and 14 games at Highfields. In the former, the home side continued their form from last season winning 8-3 while the latter suffered a 7-4 defeat.

There was a further victory for the City Under 11s who beat Leeds away 10-3.