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Boys from six locals schools travelled to Maastricht in southern Holland to play in the Geusselt Cup tournament. A misunderstanding over age groups marred the first day and the county senior team only played one game in the under-15s section, winning 4-0.

On the Sunday, playing in the under-16s section, the Lincolnshire squad won all four of their games without conceding a goal and scoring 10 in the process. Scorers here were: Nathan Bourne (3), Chris Baker (2), Leigh Overton (2), Mitchell Griffiths, Rob Morey and Chris Laming. Team manager was Gary Millson.

The under-14s played six matches against sides from Denmark, France, Germany and England, winning three, drawing two and losing one. Twelve goals were scored and just four conceded. Marksmen were: Jason Cooke (4), Nathan Rippin (2), Matt Pickersgill, Cameron Robertson, Aaron Hunt, Shaun Boothby, Chris Money and Jack Avison. Goalkeeper Will Laird kept a clean sheet in all three games on day two.

The squad overall ended the tournament in fifth place out of 12 teams in total. Team manager was Tim Barker.

The under-13s played eight games over the two days, winning four, losing two and drawing two. A total of 15 goals were scored. These were netted by Josh Medlock (4), Kierron Rose (2), Sam Rodwell (2), Kane Watson (2), Luca Hall, Tom Scott, Blake Reed, Tom Phoenix, Luke West and one own goal. Team manager was Ray Head.

Other activities during the trip included sightseeing in Monschau, Germany, Aachen Fair, sightseeing in Valbenburg, ten pin bowling and a visit to the PSV Eindhoven football stadium and sports shop.

News for week ending March 23

County miss out on place in semi-finals

The county under-18s team failed to reach the semi-finals of the ESFA Premier League Inter-Counties Championship. They went down 4-1 to a strong Northumberland team at Morpeth at the last eight stage.

Lincolnshire held their highly-rated opponents to a 1-1 score at half-time, their goal coming via Bradley Barraclough. But the home side’s superior team play and constant pressure in the second half gave them a deserved win.

However, credit goes to Lincolnshire for a gallant performance with Adam Millson and Jack Welbourn being the pick of their players on the day.

News for week ending March 9

All systems go for trek to foreign shores

Over the forthcoming Easter weekend, 43 boys from six locals schools in South Lincolnshire will take part in a tournament for the Geusselt Cup in Maastricht, Holland. Three teams representing Lincolnshire Schools will compete in this prestigious competition in which the county won the under-15s section three years ago. A total of 112 teams from 12 different nations contest the different age group competitions on the 15 pitches surrounding the local professional ground of MVV who play in the Dutch second division.

Representing the Lincolnshire Schools sides will be:

From William Lovell School, Stickney: Daniel Johnson, George Bakes, Aaron Hunt, Luke West, Daniel Allwood, Craig Oglesby, Reece West, Tom Scott, Tom Phoenix.

From Giles School, Old Leake: Daniel Morris, Sam Wright, Daniel Barnes, Nathan Rippin, Chris Basker, Simon Ashton, Callum Stocks, Leigh Overton, Kane Watson, Nathan Bourne, Thomas Dunworth.

From Gartree School, Tattershall: Matthews Pickersgill, Shaun Boothby, Cameron Robertson, Robert Morey, Aaron Bradman, Daniel Freeman, Mitchell Griffiths, Jason Cook, Shaun McGeogh, Jack Avison, William Laird, Chris Money.

From Cowley’s School, Donington: Ryan Slater, Josh Medlock, Kieran Rose, Sam Rodwell, Luca Hall, Blake Reed, Joe Blackwell, Guy Mantle.

From Horncastle Grammar School: Matthew Barker, Chris Lamming.

From Skegness Grammar School: Adam Millson.

The tour departs via coach from Boston on Friday April 6 and features matches over three days (April 7 to 9) before a visit to PSV Eindhoven’s stadium on April 10 en route back to Boston. Tour organiser is Alec Brader with assistance from Gerry Millson, Tim Barker, Ray Head and Roy Ingham.

News for week ending February 16

Tom’s extra time goal seals progress

The Lincolnshire Schools under-18s team, under the supervision of Rod Dunn, won a place in the last eight of the ESFA Premier League Inter-Counties Championship by virtue of an extra-time goal from Tom Siddons that gave his team a 3-2 victory over visitors Shropshire in a match played at Lincoln Moorlands FC.

In a tight game, Lincolnshire clawed back a 2-0 deficit to even the scores by the end of normal time through goals from Ben Machin and Lee Beeson. Lincolnshire will now play a team from the north east section at home in the quarter-finals of the all-England competition.

Under-16s slip to disappointing loss

The Lincolnshire Schools under-16s lost out in their bid for success against their Midlands Counties finalists Staffordshire in a match played at Spalding United FC. On a pitch in near perfect condition, Lincolnshire served up a somewhat disappointing display after some great performances in winning their qualifying section.

The game was too hurried in the first half with much of the play concentrated in midfield. And neither side did much to apply any width to their play.

Throughout the game, Lincolnshire had more of the chances but couldn’t find the required goalscoring touch. Staffordshire took the lead in the second half after a period of pressure when their lively left winger was tripped inside the area to produce a penalty that was converted for a 1-0 lead.

The visitors’ quick forwards added to the score soon afterwards. And at 2-0 in arrears, Lincolnshire had a mountain to climb. But they managed to stage a spirited fightback when throwing caution to the wind by pushing an increasing number of players forward while switching to a formation with only three at the back.

They pulled a goal back after a headed chance from a corner had struck the crossbar and Joe Braithwaite was on hand to blast the ball into the net. But they were unable to complete the recovery in a match wll handled by referee David Baines from Boston.

News for February 15

Spotlight on juniors who made the grade

Lincolnshire isn’t widely recognised as a hotbed for the development of football talent. But long-time county schools coach Alec Brader has come up with some interesting names that he reckons represent excellent examples of how players can emerge from junior ranks within the county to make an impression at top-flight senior level. Listed below is his choice of the best XI (plus substitutes) from Lincolnshire Schools players who have progressed under his supervision from the past three decades or so in a 4-4-2 formation. Do you agree? Or are there any other names worthy of recognition?

Alec Brader’s Lincolnshire Schools “best XI”

Chris Woods

(Kirton)

Nottingham Forest

Glasgow Rangers

England

Danny Butterfield

(Boston)

Grimsby Town

Crystal Palace

Jack Hobbs

(Spalding)

Lincoln City

Liverpool

Steve Housham

(Gainsborough)

Scunthorpe

Jamie Clapham

(Lincoln)

Ipswich

Birmingham

Wolves

Paul Holland

(Sleaford)

Sheffield Utd

Mansfield

England Schoolboys

Lee Frecklington

(Lincoln)

Lincoln City

John Oster

(Skegness)

Grimsby

Everton

Sunderland

Reading

Stephen Froggatt

(Lincoln)

Aston Villa

Coventry

Wolves

England u23s

Julian Joachim

(Boston)

Leicester City

Aston Villa

Coventry, Leeds

Boston United

Simon Garner

(Boston)

Blackburn

Substitutes

Mick Vinter

(Boston)

Notts County

Steve Wilkinson

(Sleaford)

Leicester City

Mansfield

Mick Nuttell

(Boston)

Peterborough

Rushden & Diamonds

Boston United

Ian Nimmo

(Boston)

Sheff Weds

Reserve goalkeepers

John Middleton

(Skegness)

Nottm Forest

England u21s

Mark Wallington

(Sleaford)

Walsall

Leicester City

Derby County

Lincoln City

Marlon Beresford

(Lincoln)

Sheffield Wednesday

Burnley

Luton Town

Round-up for February 12

Under-18s eye national progress

In the ESFA Premier League Inter-Counties Championship for under-18s teams, Lincolnshire Schools have qualified for the Midland county final where their opponents will be Shropshire in a match to be held at Lincoln Moorlands’ ground on Tuesday February 13, kick-off pm. Lincolnshire came top of the eastern section of the Midland Counties League by virtue of three qualifying group wins. These were: 4-0 against Nottinghamshire (goals from Tom Siddons 3 and Jack Welbourn); 2-0 against Humberside (Lee Beeson 2); and 2-1 over Derbyshire (Danny Wilson and Tom Siddons).

If Lincolnshire Schools u18s are successful against Shropshire, they will enter the national stages of the competition. Their squad for the February 13 encounter is: Chris Jones (gk) (King’s School Grantham), Andrew Gilbert (gk) (Lincoln College), Ben Machin (Carre’s GS), Callum Simmons (Boston College), Chris Porter (Carre’s GS), Daniel Long (Lincoln College), Stuart Rodgers (Lincoln College), Adam Millson (Skegness GS), Chris Glynn (Lincoln College), Tom Siddons (Carre’s GS), Bradley Barraclough (Lincoln College), Lee Beeson (Giles School), Tom Dodds (Boston College), Jack Welbourn (Boston GS), Timothy Anderson (Priory/LSST), Danny Wilson (Lincoln College), C Furnell (Lincoln College).

New match date for under-16s

The Lincolnshire Schools under-16s team have a revised date for their ESFA Premier League Inter-Counties Championship clash against Staffordshire, a match postponed last week due to their opponents being snowbound in the West Midlands. Spalding United’s ground will remain the venue for the fixture, now to be played on Wednesday February 14 (kick-off 7.30pm).

Week ending February 2

Lincolnshire Schools u16s will play Staffordshire in the ESFA Premier League Inter-Counties Championship at Spalding United FC on Tuesday February 8 (kick-off 7.30pm). A place in the national quarter-finals awaits the winners. Lincolnshire qualified by virtue of winning the East Midlands section of the competition (see report below). All support and backing for the Lincolnshire youngsters will be warmly welcomed.

Week ending January 12

Lincolnshire Schools u16s 3 Derbyshire u16s 1

On a night of incessant rain at Wyberton FC’s ground, Lincolnshire adapted far better than their opponents to the muddy conditions underfoot and in the end ran out comfortable winners of this East Midlands Premier League County Trophy for Schools encounter. And in the process, the Lincolnshire lads took top position in the regional table.

They now wait to see who they will play from the West Midlands group as the next step towards the overall national competition.

Nathan Thompson helped himself to three opportunist goals ably assisted by Gareth Burton and Ben Thompson up front, while Niall Forbes battled well in midfield.

Derbyshire were always in the game and managed to pull back a goal in somewhat bizarre circumstances when an attempted clearance from home keeper Chris Lamming cannoned off an opposing forward and rolled into the net.

Lincolnshire squad: Chris Lamming (Horncastle GS), Ben Brewer (Priory LSST), John Fairweather (Boston GS), Michael Neveson (Carre’s GS Sleaford), Ashley Holland (Middlefield Gainsborough), Joe Braithwaite (Carre’s GS Sleaford), Ben Thompson (Carre’s GS Sleaford), Liam Bull (captain) (Boston GS), Jack Pemberton (St George’s Sleaford), Gareth Burton (St George’s Sleaford), Nathan Thompson (Carr’es GS Sleaford), Andy Clapham (Robert Pattinson Sch), Will Jones (King’s Grantham), Tom Hayes (Caistor GS), Mitchell Griffiths (Gartree Tattershall), Niall Forbes (Robert Pattinson Sch), James Leafe (Boston GS), Jonathan Green (Carre’s GS Sleaford).

Manager: N Hopwood; assistant, A Brader.

The Lincolnshire squad was sponsored by Watson Petroleum.

October-November-December 2006

Lincolnshire Schools FA u16s

After promising warm-up games against Boston Town u18s (won 5-0), Grimsby Town u16s (won 1-0) and Lincs Schools u18s (lost 4-3), the Lincolnshire Schools under-16s squad — managed by Neil Hopwood, head of PE at the William Lovell School in Stickney — looked forward to an action campaign in the East Midlands Premier League Inter-Counties competition.

Their first game was played against Leicestershire Schools, contested at the excellent Holmes Park facility in Leicester. The match ended in a narrow defeat. The match was one of hugely contrasting halves, much of the play being dictated by a fierce wind blowing straight down the pitch. Lincolnshire had many chances in the first half when the elements were in their favour. But they had nothing to show for their efforts except a fortunate Ben Brewer goal and the concession of a dubious penalty given for an infringement on Leicester’s threatening right winger. After half-time the score should still have slightly favoured Lincolnshire but many chances went astray for both sets of attackers. Quick counter attacks by Leicester put Lincolnshire under spells of pressure and in the end a second home goal led to Lincolnshire suffering a 2-1 loss.

The second game was played against Nottinghamshire at Louth United’s ground. And despite sticky conditions Lincolnshire ran out 3-0 winners. Notts came with a reputation for goalscoring and neat football plus an unbeaten record to their names. But Lincolnshire adapted much better to the conditions with their strong and more direct approach leading to several chances. Three were converted—by Jack Pemberton and Gareth Burton (2). The victory was built on a solid defence in which Ashley Holland and Joe Braithwaite plus goalkeeper Chris Lamming were outstanding.

The most resounding victory came against Humberside in a match contested at Pocklington FC. Lincolnshire’s swift tackling and high-tempo football never allowed time for the home team to get into any sort of gear. And Lincolnshire ran out decisive 5-0 winners. Playing without the services of their regular strikers (unable to be freed by school exams commitments), stand-in duo Mitchell Griffiths and Ben Thompson proved more than useful attackers. The whole team exuded confidence and fully deserved their victory. Although the forwards gained all the plaudits, special mention must be made of goalkeeper Chris Lamming who pulled off a great save in the first few minutes to deny Humberside an almost certain breakthrough goal. The players who netted Lincolnshire’s all-important goals were Nathan Thompson (2), Mitchell Griffiths, Joe Braithwaite and Liam Bull.

Lincolnshire’s final game is against Derbyshire due to be played at Wyberton FC on January 9. Lincolnshire need at least a draw to progress to the regional knockout stage of the competition.

Lincolnshire squad: Chris Lamming (Horncastle GS), Ben Brewer (Priory LSST), John Fairweather (Boston GS), Michael Neveson (Carre’s GS Sleaford), Ashley Holland (Middlefield Gainsborough), Joe Braithwaite (Carre’s GS Sleaford), Ben Thompson (Carre’s GS Sleaford), Liam Bull (captain) (Boston GS), Jack Pemberton (St George’s Sleaford), Gareth Burton (St George’s Sleaford), Nathan Thompson (Carr’es GS Sleaford), Andy Clapham (Robert Pattinson Sch), Will Jones (King’s Grantham), Alex Beck (Boston GS), Mitchell Griffiths (Gartree Tattershall), Niall Forbes (Robert Pattinson Sch).

Manager: N Hopwood; assistant, A Brader.