Tuesday’s ISFA Under 18s Shield final at Burnham FC saw Reading Blue Coat School’s football first XI defeat Cranleigh School 2-1 in overtime to win their first-ever national cup competition.
Despite having a player sent off, Blue Coat’s first XI won the national final this season thanks to the coaching of Reading legend Dave Kitson and manager Kester Buckland. Previously, the team had never advanced this far in the competition.
Blue Coat, based in Sonning, led 1-0 at the half and had numerous opportunities to extend their lead but failed to capitalise.
They appeared to be holding on for the win, but in the last minute, their Surrey opponents equalised, forcing extra time.
Cranleigh had to settle for second place in the competition after Blue Coat’s ten men took the lead back in the first extra time period and managed to hold on.
For independent schools in the UK, there is an ISFA Under 18s Shield. In the semifinals, Reading Blue Coat School defeated Birkdale School 1-0 to guarantee their spot in Tuesday’s final.
“Eight months of hard work,” Kitson remarked. the first-ever national football trophy in the 378-year history of the university. I’m really happy for them.
“We used ten men for the entire 60-minute game, including overtime, lost the final minute to an equaliser, and prevailed in overtime.”
“I’m incredibly emotional and exhausted, but I’m deliriously happy!”
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