Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form hosted Archbishop Blanch school from Liverpool in the semi-finals of the U12 girls ESFA National Cup. On a warm day in front of around 200 parents, students and staff both teams put in spirited performances with very little given away between the teams in the opening exchanges. Chances were limited to shots from distance in the first 20 minutes with both keepers only called upon to make routine stops. The decisive moment came in the first half as one of the away defence was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box. The call took many by surprise and Thorpe took full advantage as Ava Munnings stepped up and tucked the ball away. The second half was full of tactical adjustments from both sides as the game began to open up. Many of the better chances were beginning to go the way of the home team as the Archbishop Blanch keeper pulled off a handful of excellent saves. The crucial second goal finally came with 15 minutes left of the match as Ava Munnings found space down the left wing before delivering an excellent cross which was smashed home first time by Lily Goddard. After that point the outcome looked secure and Thorpe St Andrew missed a few excellent opportunities to extend the lead further, however the 2-0 score line was more deserving of the effort that both teams put into the match. As the full-time whistle went many of the spectators, students and parents flooded on to the pitch to congratulate the team on reaching their first National Cup Final in 15 years.
The final is set to be played in the week commencing 23 May, with the venue likely to be a Championship/Premier league ground centrally located in the UK.
