Report courtesy of Dave Woollastan, Nixon Morton
Image courtesy of Brian Phelan
Rod Houston Cup
Schools Association Football International Board (SAFIB)
First Year Girls National Cup Champions (U14)
Friday, October 13, 20172
Day 1
Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, Caerphilly 3-1 Chesterfield HS, Liverpool
Presentation SS, Kilkenny 9-2 St. Ivo School, Huntingdon
The opening day of the Rod Houston Cup kicked off yesterday with Caerphilly’s Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni overcoming Liverpool side Chesterfield High School 3-1 in the early proceedings with goals courtesy of the Welsh youngsters Millie Jones (2) and Amelia Mills while Irish representatives Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny sailed to victory following a sensational 9-2 victory over defending Champions St. Ivo’s School, Huntingdon.
The Kilkenny crew were quick off the blocks with a brace of goals to ensure the three points for the new comers to top the table with the Welsh starlets.
Keara Ryan opened their account with only three minutes on the clock as she powered home a header from a well-placed corner. Ruby Daly denied some brilliantly worked combination play as Ellen Molloy’s attempt on goal was evaded after just 10 minutes.
Ella Hampton was called into action soon after to produce a superb save from Sarah Barcoe.
Maya Edwards and Lucy O’Brien combined well in the dying minutes of the half for the latter to ensure it was all square however Ellen Molloy converted late on to make it 2-1 at the interval.
Kate Furlong made it 3-1, two minutes into the restart, followed closed by Molloy as she converted from the penalty spot, 4-1.
A few moments later, St. Ivo’s Lucy O’Brien worked her way through the Kilkenny defence only to shoot wide.
Furlong soon restored their commanding advantage when she finished neatly to make it 5-1. Molloy was again on song as she skipped her way through the centre backs to slot home, 6-1.
St. Ivo’s netminder sent a long clearance straight into the danger zone from the re-kick and O’Brien latched onto it to put one past O’Neill making it 6-2 with 15 minutes remaining. Sarah Barcoe was on hand to make it 7-2 five minutes later.
Keara Ryan then decided to get back on the score-sheet with her second of the afternoon and Kilkenny’s 8th with a magnificent finish.
An OG from an unfortunate St. Ivo’s defender deflected past Hampton to make it 9-2 at the finish.
Day 2
Presentation SS, Kilkenny 12-2 Chesterfield HS, Liverpool
Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, Caerphilly 4-5 St. Ivo School, Huntingdon
Kilkenny carried on their goal scoring momentum into their penultimate outing with on average a goal every 5 minutes to notch up a perfect 12 against English Champs Chesterfield High School
Sarah Barcoe set the scene with a bullet off the woodwork only minutes in.
Keara Ryan lashed her shot off the post but the follow up was directed goal bound to open the scoring
Then came a brace as Ellen Molloy (2), Sarah Barcoe, Kate Furlong netted in quick succession.
Sophie Waring and Sophie Evans converted in similar fashion as they both lobbed keeper O’Neill making it 5-2 at half time.
Ellen Molloy’s twinkle toes saw her net two in quick succession making it two goals in each half! Some record for the youngster.
Teachers Roche and Kearn made some tactical substitutions at this stage of proceedings which saw Niamh Phelan marshal midfield with an onslaught of perfectly weighted passes. The talented Emma Shortall was in receipt of a brace of them and netted each time, making it 9-2.
Rachel Whelan scored a screamer from outside the box to make it 10-2 while Katie Ryan smashed one in from the spot, 11-2.
Keara Ryan had opened the scoring and it was epic that she were the one to finish the goal fest with a wonderful strike on the full time whistle, 12-2, a splendid overall performance from the Kilkenny squad.
The other group game this morning saw yesterday’s winners Caerphilly up against the English outfit St. Ivo’s. This game proved equally as entertaining with a nine goal thriller. St. Ivo’s came out on top 5-4 ensuring three points apiece for both teams after day two!
Day 3
Presentation SS, Kilkenny vs Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, Caerphilly
St. Ivo School, Huntingdon vs Chesterfield HS, Liverpool
Presentation Secondary School will take a commanding lead into the final series of games with at least a draw seeing them clinch the title as they kick off tomorrow morning (Saturday) at 10.30am.
Their present form would indicate that they are hot favourites to secure the win but Caerphilly will be one to watch having won their opening game 3-1 against Chesterfield HS and just losing out narrowly in their penultimate game 5-4 to St. Ivo’s School.
In the other group, Chesterfield will be out of contention for a podium finish but will be hoping to restore their confidence when they take out their colleagues St. Ivo’s who they faced last season in their Cup tie.
It’s anyone’s game tomorrow morning but we will be hoping for some Irish luck that Presentation SS, Kilkenny can make it a clean swipe of wins and claim the prestigious title.
PRESENTATION SS, KILKENNY | Ellie O’Neill, Louise McInerney, Katie Ryan, Caroline Barron, Sarah O’Gorman, Niamh Phelan, Sarah Barcoe, Keara Ryan, Rachel Whelan, Ellen Molloy, Kate Furlong, Emma Shortall, Sarah Hudson, Alannah Cody, Sarah O’Donnell, Aoife Doyle
TEACHERS | Wendy Roche & Monica Kearns
CHESTERFIELD HS, LIVERPOOL | Emily Coleman, Sophie Waring, Sophia Patrou, Rachel Gray, Nicole Power, Emily Garrett, Sophie Evans, Emily Brough (Capt), Mia Henderson, Alex Woodward, Ellie Hayes, Sammy Von Bargen, Ellie May Musker, Fabiana Dias, Rebecca Dillon
TEACHERS | Amanda Parker, Sara Hardman, Rebecca Casey
YSGOL GYFUN CWM RHYMNI, CAERPHILLY | Maisie Jones, Lori Box, Megan Evans, Eleri Gibbons, Ffion Green, Bo Lilli Howells, Holly Hughes (Capt), Erin Jay, Alys Jones, Caitlin Jones, Millie Jones, Ruby Lewis, Megan McVey, Amelia Mills
TEACHERS | Tony Wilding, Tom Pritchard, Naomi Davies
ST. IVO SCHOOL, HUNTINGDON | Sophie Marjoram, Caitlin McGeown, Aimee Best, Ellie Brown, Ellen Bullin, Lauren Mellors, Ellie Jefferson, Abby Townsend, Tia Everdell, Lucy O’Brien, Zoe Barratt, Nell Webber, Alice Claridge, Sasha Brown
TEACHERS | Lisa Trigg, Lindsay McAdam, Darren Marjoram
RESULTS
Host | Lilleshall National Sports Centre
Thursday, October 12 at 16.30
Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, Caerphilly 3-1 Chesterfield HS, Liverpool
Thursday, October 12 at 17.30
Presentation SS, Kilkenny 9-2 St. Ivo School, Huntingdon
Friday, October 13 at 10.00
Presentation SS, Kilkenny 12-2 Chesterfield HS, Liverpool
Friday, October 13 at 11.00
Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, Caerphilly 4-5 St. Ivo School, Huntingdon
FIXTURES
Saturday, October 14 at 10.30
Presentation SS, Kilkenny vs Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, Caerphilly
St. Ivo School, Huntingdon vs Chesterfield HS, Liverpool
END
