West Cornwall Schools Under-13 side will host Aston, Erdington & Saltley in the Semi Final of the Under-13 District Schools National event on Saturday. West Cornwall have proved they are capable of competing with best players in the country, having beaten East Cornwall, Poole & East Dorset, North Somerset, Portsmouth and Waltham Forest. The talented bunch are just one win from a National Final, in what is likely to be one of the Country’s most prestigious Premiership or Championship grounds.
The District setup in West Cornwall, which covers the 15 secondary schools west of and including Truro, was re-launched by Jake Ash and Dan Inch just 4 years ago. The pair, who are employed as Football Development Officers at Penryn College and Cornwall College respectively, recognised the need to offer the County’s best footballers the chance to challenge themselves against similarly talented players beyond the County’s borders. The setup now has three teams at Under 13, Under 14 and Under 15, with Cornwall FA’s Long Term Player Development Centre’s supporting the pathway from Under 7 to Under 12 level. Kevin Lawrence was employed as Football Development Officer at Mounts Bay Academy in September 2012, and has supported this work, including taking charge of the Under 13’s this year.
“It has been my pleasure to work with these boys this year.” Lawrence, who also plays for South West Pensinsula West side Hayle, said. “Jake said to me at the trials that he felt this year’s group were a special one, and myself and Frazer (Cadman, assistant manager) have enjoyed this amazing journey with these boys immensely. They are a smashing group, who play the right way and with a great attitude. I am sure whatever happens on Saturday, you will hear a lot more about these boys in the coming years and it is great we are able to give them a chance to challenge themselves against top players."
West Cornwall U13 Squad: Louis Graham (St Ives); Joshua Otto (St Ives); Tobi Horsell (St Ives); Jack Webber (Hayle); Ryan Barnes (Camborne); Oliver Pritchard (Richard Lander); Oliver Walker (Richard Lander); Adam Dower (Richard Lander); Jacob Trudgeon (Mounts Bay); Max Armstrong (Mounts Bay); Theo Simpson (Mounts Bay); Joel Allen (Penryn); Luke Jephcott (Penryn); Finn Robinson (Penryn); Finn Cross (Penryn); William Trew (Truro School).
Saturday 2nd March West Cornwall v Aston, Edrington & Saltley ESFA U13 District Cup Semi Final 2:30 KO @ Gala Parc, Porthleven. £2 admission. 50p programme.
