Surrey footballers reach national finals twice on the bounce

Footballers from Glyn School in Ewell have made it through to the finals of the English Schools’ Football Association U16B National Cup Tournament for the second year running.

The Glyn players triumphed 5-2 over their Glenmoor and Winton adversaries at an away match which saw the Surrey team make the two-hour journey south to Bournemouth.

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Glyn’s Head of Football, James Long, commented: “The team were apprehensive to be playing Glenmoor and Winton again, having lost to them in Year 8 in the same competition – but the semi-final was their most convincing scoreline in the competition so far, and they were surprised and relieved to win so comfortably.”

The rematch was also an opportunity for the boys to redeem themselves, with one player scoring twice against the rival team.

Mr Long said: “Leo scored two goals, which was particularly fitting, as he missed a couple of chances in the final against Wright Robinson College last year, so it was a bit of redemption.”

Other rounds in the competition saw Glyn, a member of the GLF Schools Multi-Academy Trust, win against Coombe Boys’ School, Hampton School, Bede’s School, Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, and Richard Hale School – with the nail-biting quarter final decided 7-6 on penalties.

While last year’s tournament final was held in West Bromwich at the Hawthorns Stadium, the 2023 event will be played at the BET365 Stadium in Stoke – a substantial distance for the Glyn team to travel.

“It will take about four and a half hours to get there,” continued Mr Long, “but some of the other footballers from the school will be going along to support the team. Last year we had about 60 or 70 people in the crowd supporting the boys.”

The Glyn side will face Thomas Telford School in the final, which will take place on Thursday,  May 4.

“We’ve never played them before, but they’re quite a prestigious team and have got a pedigree, as they’ve appeared in quite a few competition finals,” said Mr Long.

“Our boys are nervous but, equally, they’re very motivated and determined to right last year’s wrongs.”

If victorious, the team will receive a trophy and winners’ medals. There is also a prize on offer from event sponsor Playstation for Man of the Match, which was won by a Glyn team member last year.

“Before last year, it was about 10 years since a Glyn team last made it through to the ESFA finals,” added Mr Long, who took over as manager of the U16B team from Nathan Miller, who led the same team to success last year.

“To get through once is amazing, but to do it twice, back-to-back, is outstanding. We’re very proud of the boys, and they’re a really strong, committed team.”