U13s Girls ISFA National Champions

U13s Girls ISFA National Champions

SHS U13 Girls qualified for the National Cup Finals Day at St. George’s Park in May leaving the South-Central Regional qualifier as runners-up with the girls topping their group unbeaten and missing out on top spot against Farrington Headington School losing penalties 3-2.

The National Cup Finals Day saw Stamford High School compete against 11 schools across the country for the ISFA National Cup with high-quality football played across the board. The Stamford girls started strong with some very impressive play in the early stages and as a result of this came out group winners of Group A on 10 points with only 1 loss out of their 5 games resulting in them progressing through to the semi-finals.

The semi-final saw the girls play against a solid Cheadle Hulme team with nothing separating the two teams in the first half and opportunities missed by both sides. Stamford remained focused and a well-worked piece of play results in a free kick being awarded in the final 2 minutes of the game. Isabel Philby stepped up to the challenge with the teams fortune in her hands and hit the ball cleanly into the top right corner of the goal getting Stamford through to the final with a 1-0 win.

The final was played against a very strong Nottingham High who had dominated their games throughout the qualifying stages and was set up to be a close game. Stamford started strong and pressed the opposition with an early goal from Eva Baker putting the team at ease. The girls continued to work hard for each other and found their flow with another superb goal from Isabel Philby leaving them 2-0 up at half-time.  Following a short break the girls continued to play well with their confidence growing and another two goals slotted in by E.Baker and I.Philby leaving the full-time score 4-0 to Stamford High School and gaining the title of 2019 ISFA National Champions!!

Special mentions go to Eva Baker and Isabel Philby who both left joint top goal-scorers with a very impressive 6 goals each and also Pacha Steen who did a sterling job in goal throughout the tournament. Well done to all.

Team: Pacha Steen, Erica Smith (Captain), Imogen Sargent, Ruby Sumner, Maeve Sinfield, Camilla Hindmarch, Isabel Philby (Vice-Captain), Polly Anson, Liv Carroll and Eva Baker.