Hatfeild anf Raynes Park girls team had won through the local competition to progress and play against the best schools in Kingston, Surrey, Lambeth, Hammersmith and Fulham.

Hatfeild progressed from their group without losing a game.  They came up against an organised team in the final and found themselves 0-1 down quite early on.  This however left them plenty of time to get back into the game.  They bombarded the opposition goal with plenty of long range efforts, hitting the woodwork before one powerful shot was only parried by the keeper to make it 1-1.  The onslaught continued and with only a few seconds remaining another great long range shot left the keeper with no chance, making Hatfeild champions.

Raynes Park girls were in with a good chance of progressing as this squad had already reached a national semi-final this season.  The were full of confidence and well organised untill they lost 5-1 to Lambeth in the group stage.  They were still able to qualify and playing the same Lambeth team in the final knew some re-organisation was needed.  A shuffling of positions led to them taking an early 2-0 lead in the final.  The keeper was alert for Raynes Park and prevented several good efforts.  Raynes Park ran out 3-1 winners with some clever counter attacking football.

Both teams now go to Chelsea's training ground to play against the winning school sides from Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspurs, West Ham and Portsmouth's Borough's.  Thanks go to Fulham FC Foundation who organsised a great tournament. 

It is great to see the standard of competitive sport in Merton is continuing to rise, good luck to both teams in the next round.

Richard Hayward

Partnership Development Manager