JMA win prestigious national schools title
Sportsdesk • Published 17 May 2012 09:30
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DEVANTE Romeo and Mitchell Parker both scored twice as John Madejski Academy Under 18s came from behind to win the English Schools' Football Association Trophy at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.
JMA trailed Thomas Telford School 1-0 with just over 10 minutes remaining, but Parker drew the Reading side level and then netted again after Romeo's brace to secure a dramatic 4-2 victory.
The frantic finish was a far cry from the start of the match, with neither side able to break the deadlock in the opening period.
JMA goalkeeper Reece O'Connor saved well from Jake Webb and Matthew Cox was denied by the Telford keeper at the other end.
Zach Tull almost got the opener for JMA in the second half but saw his effort go over the bar.
And Telford took the lead just a minute later when Wayne Davis went past O'Connor and put the ball into an empty net.
Telford had the ball in the net again on the hour mark but this time the flag went up for offside and the goal was disallowed.
It took JMA until the 79th minute to equalise when they were awarded a penalty and Parker stepped up to
send the keeper the wrong way.
With the wind in their sails, JMA took the lead for the first time when Romeo fired past the goalkeeper and a defender on the line.
The same player then extended JMA's advantage a minute later as he dribbled around a player before finding the net with a deflected shot.
But Telford struck back instantly when they were awarded a penalty for handball and Ryan Bright stepped up to convert.
With the JMA nerves jangling, Telford sent up their goalkeeper for a corner in the dying seconds, only for the defence to clear and Parker to score the fourth in an unguarded net.
Both teams were awarded their medals by ESFA chairman John Appleby and JMA were presented with the trophy crowning them as national champions.
JMA squad: Reece O'Connor, Carlisle Bovell, Matthew Cox, Joe Bull, Adam Richards, Zach Tull, Devante Romeo, Ashleigh Artwell, Jamekal Henderson, Aaron Minhas, Mitchell Parker, Malvin Kachingwe, Lewis Atherley, Franki Boamah, Liam Ferdinand, Ryan Nevard.
Management: Tristan Lewis (manager), Michael Butcher (asst manager), Ben Gladwin (asst coach), Sam Harwood (physio).
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