The inter-league returned after an absence of four years due to Covid-19 against familiar opposition in EFL League One side Port Vale who were the visitors in 2017.
19 students from seven regions and nine player pathway partner clubs were selected to represent the ESPFA and showcase their ability against a full time professional academy following nominations from their coaches and ESPFA management staff.
As with all inter-league games, students meet for the first time an hour before kick off so a slow start is always anticipated against a side who are well accustomed with each other and the 2023 edition was no different with the visitors taking an early two goal lead.
The first, a header at the back post from a corner and the second coming five minutes later poking home in the six yard box.
Throughout the rest of the first half, the ESPFA grew more and more into the game but chances at both ends were few and far between.
In the second half, the first opportunity fell to substitute Lee Mayne who's driving run through the middle following a neat one-two resulted in a shot that was comfortably saved by the Vale keeper.
Minutes later Adam Moseley flicked a through ball into Kaylem Stacey's path for a one on one opportunity but he could not take advantage as his shot sailed wide.
The visitors extended their lead mid way through the second half when a well worked possession was beautifully finished with a strike into the top corner.
The ESPFA were rewarded for their excellent performance soon after when Alieu Jatta won the ball in midfield and fed Mayne who's excellent through ball met hot shot Adam Moseley who in typical Adam Moseley fashion finished superbly to get the ESPFA back into the game.
As the game wound down there were half chances from both sides to add to the scoreline but it remained 1-3 to the visitors who were a credit to their football club on the night.
All 19 students who took part can be proud of their performance on the evening and with nine of the squad eligible for selection next season, the future looks bright at the ESPFA.
TEAM: Bobby Taylor (Derbyshire - Belper Town), Leighton Thomas (Derbyshire - Belper Town), Kaiden Frost (Staffordshire - Stafford Town), Mattaeus Morgan (West Midlands - Rushall Olympic), Cobie Hodgkiss (West Midlands - Rushall Olympic), Ryan Hunt (Lancashire - Skelmersdale United), Kaylem Stacey (West Midlands - Rushall Olympic), Lewis Austin (Derbyshire - Belper Town), Ewan Sutherill (Derbyshire - Belper Town), Isaac Shaw (Cheshire - Witton Albion), Adam Moseley (Cheshire - Runcorn Linnets).
SUBS: Will Faulkner (Cheshire - Runcorn Linnets), Lewis Jenkinson (Lancashire - Skelmersdale United), Jack Sandbach (Cheshire - Witton Albion), Jack Horton (Staffordshire - Stafford Town), Alieu Jatta (Derbyshire - Mickleover FC), Phelix Fountain (Nottinghamshire - Carlton Town), Bobby Isbell (West Yorkshire - Ossett United), Lee Mayne (West Midlands - Rushall Olympic)
Highlights
Report
Squad 2023
Team Lineup
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