The RN squad enjoyed the excellent facilities offered by the National Sports Centre at Lilleshall and began the game brightly, taking control of proceedings in the first 20 minutes with some good pressure applied by AET Danny Brookwell (Culdrose) down the left and the troublesome pairing of MNE Mike Scott (42 CDO) and MNE Olly Kennedy (45 CDO) giving the ESFA plenty to think about.
The game turned in the 25 minute with a well executed set piece by ESFA led to a headed goal from a corner. ESFA grew in confidence and having been allowed time on the ball, the midfield began to create opportunities and took a deserved lead from a strike 25 Yds from goal. The RNU23 didn’t allow there game plan to be broken and after a period of sustained pressure came back into the game after a goal from AET Brookwell. The RN team were unable to see the half out and the ESFA team regained their 2 goal cushion on the stroke of half time.
Several changes took place for both teams at half time and the second half was evenly contested up to the 80th minute when a short ball back to the RN keeper was intercepted and the ESFA team centre forward slotted the ball away calmly to wrap up the game. Final Score 4-1 (ESFA)