PREVIEW- PREMIER LEAGUE SCHOOLS' TOURNAMENT

PREVIEW- UNDER 13 GIRL’S TRIP TO ANFIELD (PREMIER LEAGUE SCHOOLS’ TOURNAMENT)

Tomorrow (Thursday 9^th May) CHS' under 13 girls will not be playing on CHS’ field instead they are making the small step up to playing at Liverpool FC’s ground, Anfield, when they represent Stoke City at the Premier League Schools’ Tournament competing against the 20 premier league teams.

The girls won all their six matches in the qualifying stages, scoring 42 goals and conceding just five. They continued that superb form with a 5-1 semi-final victory and a 4-0 success against Christchurch Academy in the final. The team is captained by England Under-15 midfielder Hollie Massey, who scored over 20 goals in qualifying and boasts midfielder Amy Rogers, who plays for Everton Ladies.

The girls will travel to Liverpool tonight before staying in a hotel. Tomorrow morning they will be treated like professionals when they get changed in the dressing rooms, walk onto the pitch through the tunnel to the premier league anthem and will be officiated by real premier league officials.

Liverpool Midfielder, Jordan Henderson made the draw which see’s Congleton High School up against schools who qualified from Reading, Fulham, West Ham and Norwich in Group C.

Their Group

Reading- Waingels College
Waingels College took it to the wire in the final after beating off stiff competition. Their showdown against Beechwood School ended 2-2 in normal time but they found a winning goal in extra time. Waingels have been training hard ahead of their trip to Anfield and are hoping captain Megan Bonifacii can lead them to the title.

Fulham- Evelyn Grace School
Evelyn Grace’s girls’ team have been playing together and training every Thursday for the last two years. That dedication and their big-game mentality was rewarded as they came through both the semi-finals and the final on penalties. The team’s sharp shooter Cristiana Afonso, known by the boys at school as "Lionel Messi", will be hoping to maintain the impressive form in front of goal that helped her side reach Anfield.

West Ham- Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls
The school has a rich history of sporting success, including winning the County Football Cup five years in a row, being national finalists for all year groups in Futsal and achieving a runners-up finish in the U13 National Football Finals at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. The Romford-based school boasts several students who have represented Essex and one who has played for Arsenal and England U17s. Most of the U13 team play for clubs including Tigers, West Ham United and represent Essex.

Norwich- Wymondham High School
Having played together since primary school the girls won all their U13 County Cup matches on their way to the semi-final. In PLST qualifying they scored 34 goals and conceded just twice, with Norwich City Girls Centre of Excellence starlet Aimee Palmer finishing top scorer. The final round went down to the last match with Wymondham taking the lead through Rebecca Russell only for Hellesdon High to level, but a point ensured they went through on goal difference.

Knockout Stages

If Congleton make it through the group they will be up against tough teams including teams who played in the tournament last year as well as regional and national champions.

But the whole school is behind them and will have support at Anfield by their friends who will travel tomorrow morning to Anfield. Look out for a full report from all CHS’ games as well as reaction from the day.

Written by Adam Bailey

(Draw and Stats courtesy of Premier League)