Welsh Schools Football Final

Saturday 14th May 2001 saw both Under 18 Boys and Under 14 Girls travel to North Wales to take part in the Welsh Schools Football Association Final.

In two tense finals the boys were victorious winning 2 - 1 and are now the Welsh Schools Champions, where the girls took on the top Welsh girls team with several International players and fought a hard battle to keep the score at 6 – 0, a score that doesn’t reflect the game as they played outstanding football, and an amazing achievement to reach the final.

MATCH REPORT for U18 Boys:

Whitchurch left Cardiff with only one thing on their mind. The school had never won this competition before, so the boys wanted to make history in what was Wales Schools centenary year. Everyone was treating the game with a very professional attitude from the moment they set foot on the bus to travel to North Wales. A light meal and an early night made sure everyone was fit and fresh for what lay ahead the following day.

Whitchurch High arrived at ’The Venue’ over an hour before kick off to make sure they were fully prepared. A quiet talk from teacher and coach Mr Morris set the tone before the boys headed into the dressing room to get changed before going out to warm up. It fast paced and vocal warm up with everyone’s mind set on winning.

Both sides started the game well. There was a high tempo and plenty of enthusiasm from everybody involved. It was even until after 10 minutes, when a delicate chip from Lewis Bannister was headed home at the back post at close range from striker and captain Andrew Jenkins to give Whitchurch a 1-0 lead. It was nearly 2-0 five minutes later when a goal kick from the Brynhyfred goalkeeper fell short and to the feet of Jenkins, whose long range half volley wasn’t far away from doubling the lead.

In the early stages Whitchurch seemed very vulnerable at the back playing a deep defensive line, and as Brynhyfred continued to attack they nearly equalised when a shot from a tight angle came back of the post and out for a goal kick. Brynhyfred continued to press, but at half time Whitchurch led the game 1-0, and were only 45 minutes away from entering the history books.

Whitchurch High knew that work ethic would be key in the second half if they were to go on and lift the cup. They worked hard but Brynhyfred continued to press during the second half, and were the better team for the majority of it. However against the run of play Whitchurch added a second to make it 2-0, when a nice exchange of passes from Gareth Woodman and Lewis Bannister saw Woodman deliver the ball to the far post and Josh Beddis headed home to make it 2-0 to Whitchurch. After the goal Whitchurch were once again on the back foot, and it was nearly 2-1 when a corner from the Brynhyfred winger was headed onto the crossbar by their playmaker in the midfield.

Whitchurch were given a scare just five minutes from time, when the same player from Brynhyfred who hit the bar was allowed to travel a long way with the ball and curled a spectacular shot into the far corner which gave goalkeeper Michael Ley no chance. Brynhyfred continued to press like they had done throughout the second half, but Whitchurch managed to hold on and the celebrations began. The players were overjoyed by the fact they were now u18 Welsh Champions. It was also a very happy and emotional day for Mr Morris who had been trying to win the competition for more than 20 years, but he finally had his trophy.

The victory also summed up a good year for Goalkeeper Michael Ley, who now has a Wales Schools Winners trophy to go alongside his Wales Schools Cap that he received earlier this season. The victory is also a great send off to the whole of the Whitchurch defensive four (Ben Carey, Jack Shields, Anthony Hoskins, Adam Joslin) as well as Andrew Jenkins and Lewis Bannister who won’t get another chance to win the competition next season. Nobody however can take away that each of them won this years competition, and it is something that will no doubt last a life time.

Andrew Jenkins