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Forty boys and six staff representing the Lincolnshire Schools football party set off to Maastricht in Holland on Good Friday, heading for the prestigious Geusselt Cup tournament. The event — the largest of its kind in Europe over the Easter weekend — attracted 112 teams from 10 different European nations. The Lincolnshire contingent prayed that the event would go ahead without any problems, having encountered snow storms en route and a three-hour delay via transit through Eurotunnel. However, the pitches were passed fit for purpose, albeit with some changes in the programme — these not being notified until 8am on the Saturday.

The under-14s team under the management of Ray Head and James Brader played six games over the two days, winning two, drawing one and losing three. They finished 10^th overall, but took pride in winning their age group’s fair play trophy.

The under-15s team, managed by young Boston United player Adam Millson won three, drew two and lost three of their eight matches to finish ninth out of 15.

The under-16s, with a young squad this year were managed by Garry Millson and skippered by Boston United centre back “Crash” Ashton. They played eight games with three wins, one draw and four losses as their return. Overall, they finished ninth out of 15 teams.

Although the boys woke up to snow each morning during their stay in Volkenburg, the days were sunny and the wintry conditions soon melted away to allow football to go ahead.

Other activities during the time abroad included ten pin bowling, a visit to Aachen Fair, a trip to the “three countries point” at Vaals and a visit to the PSV Eindhoven stadium and club shop on the way home..

The other staff members on the trip was Roy Ingham while the overall tour was organised by Alec Brader.

Tour party footballers were: Daniel Allwood (William Lovell), Harry Ashton (Giles), Simon Ashton (Giles), George Bakes (William Lovell), Matthew Buck (Alford GS), Alex Cammack (Giles), Robert Cohu (Horncastle GS), Jack Coley (Cowleys), Kristen Coussens (Gartree), Tom Dunworth (Giles), Jamie Fletcher (Cowleys), Luca Hall (Cowleys), Matthew Hood (Giles), Daniel Johnson (William Lovell), William Laird (Gartree), Jack Manley-Soames (Gartree), Guy Mantle (Cowleys), Brendan McGeough (Gartree), Shaun McGeough (Gartree), Josh Medlock (Cowleys), Jack Mitchell (St Bedes), Joe Newstead (Gartree), Eli Norris (William Lovell), Simon Potter (Giles), Blake Reid (Cowleys), Adam Rigarlsford (Gartree), Nathan Rippin (Giles), Cameron Robertson (Gartree), Sam Rodwell (Cowleys), Kieren Rose (Cowleys), Ryan Slater (Cowleys), Kane Watson (Giles), Joseph Webb (Alford GS), Ashley Webb (Gartree), Thomas West (Alford GS), Daniel Wiles (William Lovell), Robbie Winter (Alford GS), Joe Wood (William Lovell), John Wood (Gartree), Liam Wright (Giles).

News for February 10

Credit in defeat for under-18s

Lincolnshire made the long trip to play Staffordshire in the semi-finals of the Midland Counties Under-18s Cup competition. The match was played at Lilleshall and saw Lincolnshire just have the edge in the first half. They went into the interval with a 1-0 lead courtesy of a Chris Furnell goal. And on the balance of play — and on the strength of some neat inter-passing work — that scoreline was about deserved, notably with Furnell also going close on another occasion when seeing an effort hit the bar. With Staffordshire’s international centre back in dominant form, Lincs were left to rue the absence of their own England star, striker Tom Siddans, who was unavailable. Staffordshire introduced a new striker after the break and he injected extra pace to the home attack with several direct runs causing problems for the Lincs defence. Staffordshire drew level and then scored their second goal 15 minutes from time. At this point, the new Lincs management team of Stuart Reddington and Mark Hallam (taking over from the long-serving Rod Dunn) urged their gallant team forward. And an equaliser almost arrived in the final minute. But it was not to be. Overall, it was a close game and victory was just about deserved in the final assessment on the home side’s second half display.

News for February 3

Midland call-up for Lee and Adam

Lee Beeson and Adam Melson, both members of the Boston United youth set-up and pupils of Giles School and Skegness Grammar School respectively, played in the Midland Counties Schools under-18s XI that defeated Australia Schools at Hinckley last week.

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Lincolnshire Schools under-18s team play in the semi-finals of the Midland Counties section against Staffordshire at Lilleshall on Tuesday February 5.

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Carre’s Grammar School, Sleaford, moved into the seventh round of the English Schools individual under-18s championship where they will play Lutterworth Grammar School (Leicestershire) next week. In the sixth round, Carre’s defeated Marlborough School from St Albans on away soil.

News for week ending February 2

Tom making international progress

Tom Siddans, a member of the Lincolnshire Schools under-18s team and pupil at Carre’s Grammar Schools in Sleaford, has been selected for the 21-strong England schoolboys squad for several future international matches — including a fixture at Wembley in April. He made his debut last Saturday in a 2-0 defeat of Australia, a match played at the New Meadow home of Shrewsbury Town FC. And he scored one of the goals in the process. Next step for Tom is a training camp for four days at Villareal in Spain from February 12-16. Further matches include fixtures against Northern Ireland, Wales, Republic of Ireland and finally Scotland at Wembley on April 26.

Meanwhile, the Lincolnshire schoolboys’ squad involved in the forthcoming Easter tour to Holland will meet for the day for briefing and training at the William Lovell School, on Monday February 11 from 10am to 2pm.

News for week ending January 18

Counting down to Netherlands venture

It’s all systems go for the Lincolnshire Schools Football Association’s Easter tour to the Netherlands.

Squads will represent the county at under-14s and under-16s levels in two tournaments while youngsters will also take in sightseeing opportunities including a visit to the PSV Eindhoven stadium.

The five-day venture gets under way on Friday March 21 when the party, staffed by Alec Brader, Ray Head, Tim Barker, Garry Milson, Adam Milson and Roy Ingham, leaves Boston by coach for a Eurotunnel connection to the continent.

Match action unfolds in Maastricht on March 22 and 23 before the tour is rounded off by a day of relaxation and then a return home on March 25.

The squads selected for the trip are:

Under-14s: John Wood (Gartree), Thomas West (Alford GS), Robbie Winter (Alford GS), Matthew Buck (Alford GS), Kirsten Coussens (Gartree), Lewis Baines (Giles), Jack Coley (Cowleys), Josh Medlock (Cowleys), Blake Reid (Cowleys), Guy Mantle (Cowleys), Sam Rodwell (Cowleys), Kieren Rose (Cowleys), Harry Ashton (Giles), Brendan McGeough (Gartree), Robin Cohin (QEGS), Joe Newstead (Gartree), Michael Turner (Gartree), Ashley Webb (Gartree), Jamie Fletcher (Cowleys), Jack Manley-Soames (Gartree), Danny Wiles (William Lovell), Joe Wood (William Lovell), Ryan Slater (Cowleys), Adam Rigarlsford (Gartree), Eli Norris (William Lovell), Luca Hall (Cowleys), Bradley Scarcliffe (QEGS).

Under-16s: William Laird (Gartree), Cameron Robertson (Gartree), Daniel Johnson (William Lovell), Brendan Todd (St Bedes), Simon Ashton (Giles), Simon Potter (Giles), Shaun McGeough (Gartree), Liam Wright (Giles), Joe Webb (Alford GS), Nathan Rippin (Giles), Daniel Baines (Giles), Alex Cammack (Giles), Matthew Hood (Giles), George Mitchell (St Bedes), George Baker (William Lovell).

News for week ending December 21

Tom gets chance to make England grade

Tom Siddans of Carre’s Grammar School in Sleaford has been selected for the next trials stage towards the English Schools under-18s international squad. To this end he will attend a coaching course at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre from January 11 to 13. Tom also plays for Sleaford Town in the Eagle Bitter United Counties League. The following step after Lilleshall in the England selection process is a training camp at Villareal in Spain from February 12 to 16. Also, four international matches will be played in March and April with the final match being against Scotland at Wembley Stadium.

News for week ending December 7

Slender margin of defeat for Lincs team

Lincolnshire Schools u16s 0, Leicestershire 1

A depleted Lincolnshire under-16s team put up a gallant performance at the Staffsmart Stadium home of Boston United. But in the end they suffered a slender loss against their Leicestershire counterparts.

The first half belonged to the visitors whose superior technical skills gave them much territorial advantage but were limited to only a handful of clear chances, thanks largely to some resolute defending by the Lincolnshire side.

As such, it was a goal of considerable class that ultimately went on to separate the teams at the interval. Impressive Leicestershire striker Ben Easson netted with a perfect 20-yard free-kick that gave home keeper Andy Hewitt no chance.

After the break Lincolnshire had a wind advantage in their favour. And with confidence levels boosted, they asserted themselves well in the second half and a few half chances came their way. The introduction of Carl Tate in attack led to several good openings, but only a magnificent save by Leicester keeper Denham Hinds kept the visitors’ lead intact.

Several late corners gave Lincolnshire hope of levelling the scores but the visitors held on well to deny the home side the draw their performance arguably merited.

Thanks went to Boston United officials for the use of their excellent ground, facilities and hospitality.

Lincolnshire under-16s’ next game is away to Derbyshire on Monday December 10, kick-off 7.30pm.

Lincs squad (sponsored by Watson Petroleum): Andy Hewitt (Giles), Aarron Bradnam (Gartree), David Sharpe (Horncastle GS), Oliver Maltby (Gleed), Josh Mountain (Middlecott), Simon Ashton (Giles), Callum Stocks (Giles), Chris Baker (Giles), Shane Clancy (St Georges), Josh Nicol (Castle Hills), Daniel Prue (Horncastle GS), Ben Pollard (Carres), Courtnet Warren (Spilsby), Carl Tate (Haven), Craig Rook (Bourne GS), Danny Keddie (Robert Pattinson), Andy Hutchinson (Joseph Ruston).

Team manager, Neil Hopwood; assistant manager, Alec Brader.

News for week ending November 23

Credit in loss for depleted squad

Nottinghamshire 2,Lincolnshire Schools u16s 0

Lincolnshire U16s travelled to Mansfield to play their Nottinghamshire counterparts—but with little optimism after five key members of their squad were advised to pull out of the match by parent club Lincoln City whose hierarchy feared the youngsters were playing too much football and risking injury.

However, the depleted county side fought valiantly to keep their talented opponents at bay in what was a mainly backs-to-the-wall damage limitation exercise. Missing the important figure of Andy Hutchinson up front, Lincs had few chances on a blustery night at Clipstone.

Simon Ashton, at the back, played a real captain’s game while David Sharpe turned in a confident performance when introduced at half-time and Andy Hewitt in goal handled the slippery ball well.

The u16s’ next game is at Boston United’s Staffsmart Stadium on Wednesday December 5 against Leicestershire.

Lincs squad: Andy Hewitt (Giles), David Sharpe (Horncastle), Josh Mountain (Middlecott), Simon Ashton (Giles), Chris Baker (Giles), Shane Clancy (St George’s Sleaford), Daniel Prue (Horncastle), Oliver Maltby (Gleed), Josh Nichol (Castle Hills Gainsborough), Ben Pollard (Carre’s Sleaford), Callum Stocks (Giles), Carl Tate (Haven High), Courtney Warren (Spilsby), Aaron Bradnam (Gartree).

Lincolnshire u18s 5, Nottinghamshire 1

Lincolnshire secured an excellent victory at Collingham. Lee Beeson led the way in the scoring stakes with a hat-trick. Other marksmen were Adam Milson and Tom Siddons. The latter has also progressed to the final stage of the England u18s selection process with an exciting game at Wembley at stake in April.

News for week ending November 16

Slender loss in fiery encounter

ESFA Premier League Under-16s County Trophy

Lincolnshire Schools u16s 0, Humberside 1

This was a fiery encounter between two well-matched teams played at Lincoln Moorlands FC in which a degree of refereeing leniency led to a few reckless tackles from both sets of players. In the first half for Lincolnshire, Andy Hutchinson had several good runs but was thwarted by one notable save from the Humberside keeper after beating several players and unleashing a fierce 20-yard drive. Half-time score was 0-0 but the visitors took the lead with 15 minutes remaining with a well-taken header from a corner. Immediately, Lincs went down to the other end and looked to have earned an instant reply when Simon Ashton connected with a powerful header from a free-kick. However, to many people’s surprise, a linesman flagged for offside to deny the home side what would have been a merited draw. The home rearguard did well to withstand the darting runs of the speedy visiting forwards, especially in the guise of defensive trio Simon Ashton, Connor Fitzpatrick and Aarron Bradnam. Next game for the u16s is away at Clipstone against Nottinghamshire and after that there’s a match at Boston United’s Staffsmart Stadium against Leicestershire.

Lincs u16s squad: Carl Stubbs (Branston), David Sharpe (Horncastle), Josh Mountain (Middlecott), Ryan Limb (William Farr), Simon Ashton (Giles), Connor Fitzpatrick (William Farr), Kern Miller (John Spendluffe), Chris Baker (Giles), Shane Clancy (St George’s), Andrew Hutchinson (Joseph Ruston), Daniel Prue (Horncastle), Oliver Maltby (Gleed), Andy Hewitt (Giles), Josh Nicol (Castle Hills), Ben Pollard (Carre’s), Callum Stocks (Giles), Aarron Bradnam (Gartree).

The Lincs u18s county schools team also faced Humserside in their latest outing away at Pocklington. They also lost 1-0. Two Lincs players — Lee Beeson and Adam Milson — were substituted at half-time because they had endured a tough game the previous evening. This seemed to upset the rhythm of the Lincs side and Humberside scored the winner in the second half.

News for week ending November 2

New campaign starting to shape up

The new season for the Lincolnshire Schools FA under-16s county football team began in July when 60 boys from around the region met at William Lovell School, Stickney for a coaching and selection day organized by team manager Neil Hopwood and assistant Alec Brader. From this gathering, a total of 25 boys were selected for a trial match at Horncastle Town FC’s ground in September.

The first competitive game was used as another trial against Boston Town’s under-18s at Wyberton FC — a match just edged 3-2 by the older Boston team.

Fifteen boys were then chosen for a further trial game against Grimsby Town under-16s at Horncastle, which was narrowly lost by a 2-1 scoreline. The first half was shaded by the industrious Grimsby side who had been playing together for six years, while the county youngsters had only contested one organised match. Grimsby’s quick passing and fluid football saw them establish a 2-0 interval lead. After the break, the Lincolnshire lads looked much sharper and more dangerous up front. A goal was pulled back when Andrew Hutchinson scored with a clever header at the back post from a headed-on corner. Lincolnshire continued to threaten in the later stages but were unable to force an equaliser.

Squad: Carl Stubbs (Branston), David Sharp (Horncastle), Simon Ashton (Giles Old leake), Conner Fitzpatrick (William Farr), Ben Pollard (Carre’s Sleaford), Ryan Limb (William Farr), Kern Miller (Lincoln), Chris Baker (Giles Old leake), Shane Clancy (St George’s Sleaford), Andrew Hutchinson (Lincoln), David Prue (Horncastle). Subs: Josh Mountain (Middlecott Kirton), Josh Nicol (Castle Hills Gainsborough), Oliver Maltby (Gleed Spalding), Callum Stocks (Giles Old Leake).

The final squad to represent Lincolnshire in the forthcoming East Midlands Federation games will be chosen after a match against Lincolnshire Schools under-18s B team at Wyberton on Tuesday November 8 (7.30pm).

The first game in the league competition is against Humberside at Lincoln Moorlands FC on Thursday November 15 followed by a home game at Boston United’s Staffsmart Stadium in December against Leicestershire.

Meanwhile, on November 22 Lincolnshire play Nottinghamshire at Clipstone with a 7.30pm kick-off. Notts started their season by securing a good 4-2 win over Humberside.

In a final trial match against Lincolnshire Schools under-18s B, the county under-16s scored a hard-fought victory over their older opposition. The team’s marksman was Andy Hutchinson. Several good chances were squandered in the second half when the under-16s were well on top.

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In the county under-18s squad, three boys—Tom Siddons (Carre’s Sleaford), Lee Beeson (Giles Old Leake) and Adam Milson (Skegness Grammar) attended the first stage of England under-18s schools trials. Lee Beeson and Tom Siddons have subsequently been invited for further trials at Hinckley when they will play for the Midland Counties side.

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Plans are now in an advanced state for the county schools’ tour to Holland next Easter. The under-16s squad is now full and the two under-14s teams only need four more boys to make up their full complement. More news on squad members later.