Action Photos
Royal Russell School Boys-U15A vs  The Forest School, Winnersh
On: Friday, 01 Mar 2024
Venue: at Home

Boys Football - ESFA Cup Semi-Final

Royal Russell U15As 0-1 The Forest School

What a proud performance the U15As put out against a very strong Forest School side that had 9 Reading academy players in their starting 11. The team narrowly lost 1-0 to a penalty but they can hold their heads up high after what was an excellent performance full of energy, passion and quality which merited more than a defeat.

Russell knew they were going to be in for a stern test but started the game with an electric pace. Tom Scarles had a good effort from the edge well saved by the GK. Russell came close again as Zac Brennan hit the post on the swivel. Evan Newman then had two very good one on one attempts but the Forest GK both times showed his quality to pull off 2 good saves. We continued to pile on the pressure with our high intensity pressing and had another good opportunity when Dylan De Gale’s deflected shot hit the post for the 2nd time. An outstanding first half performance which could have seen the team be 2 or 3 goals up but they had to settle for a 0-0 at half time.

This was proven costly as there was a change in fortune in the 2nd half. Unfortunately, the influential Tom Gibbs had to come off injured which meant Russell had to reshape personnel. Forest School won the ball deep in their own half and a ball over the top found their quick forward who was brought down inside the box and converted to make it 0-1 against the run of play. Dylan De Gale came closest to scoring as his volley was inches wide. We continued to battle and show fight with Stanley Moore having 2 long range free kicks just over the bar but unfortunately the team couldn’t get that decisive goal they deserved.

A performance and a journey that they should be proud of. To be one of the top 4 teams in the country and against all odds dominate a team with 9 academy players shows the tremendous effort that this team conjured up not just on the day but throughout this season.

Player of the match: THE TEAM SPIRIT