Walsall schools' football
association
100 Years of schools' football in walsall
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Squad

Danny Jarvis (Aldridge); Gregg Stone (Arthur Terry); Phil Lutwyche, Callum Williamson (Barr Beacon); Liam Rogers (Brownhills); Richard Davies (Pool Hayes); Ashley Lawrence, Kieran Moran, Ricky Nicholls, Richard Nicholson (St. Thomas More); Andrew Bentley, Duncan Rogers (Shire Oak); Adam Cavanagh, Steven Dougliss (Sneyd); Ben Clougher, Edward Forsythe (Streetly); Kieron Parsons (Willenhall).

Walsall SFA U-13 squad 2002-03 pictured before the Walsall F.C. Cup Quarter-final at Solihull (above) 
and after their victory against Redditch in the final at Bescot Stadium (top).

Alan Lutwyche presents the under-13 squad with a bucket 
containing the £400 collected after his sponsored head shave. The money
went towards new training tops for the squad.

Press Reports

Walsall U-13 3 Redditch U-13 1 (ESFA Walsall F.C. Cup Final) - 10.05.03
Walsall under-13s won the Walsall Cup for the first time in eight years thanks to a superb second half performance at Bescot Stadium. Redditch should have had a lead at the break but they spurned two good chances. Walsall were denied an undeserved first half lead when Redditch keeper Tom Shepherd brilliantly saved a Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) effort. Nicholls had a hand in Walsall’s first goal when his shot was blocked and Ben Clougher (Streetly) fired the rebound home. Nicholls quickly increased the lead with a fierce drive into the bottom corner. Shepherd made two superb saves from Clougher before Tom Lacey pulled a goal back for Redditch. A minute later Lacey appeared to be impeded inside the box but the referee waved play on as Walsall looked like cracking. Nicholls settled Walsall nerves with a splendid turn and shot for his second goal.

Walsall U-13 0 Worcestershire North U-13 2 - 5.04.03 (West Midlands semi-final)
Walsall under-13s failed to score for the first time this season and lost this West Midlands semi-final against the team they beat in last season’s final. An early free kick for Walsall saw Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) drive the ball narrowly over but that was the last time Walsall threatened in the first half. The visitors took the lead following a spell of pressure midway through the half. Walsall keeper Duncan Rogers (Shire Oak) tipped a shot round the post but Worcestershire scored a second goal from the resulting corner. Ben Clougher (Streetly) saw his shot brilliantly turned over a minute later and Steven Dougliss (Sneyd) went close from long range as Walsall tried in vain to pull it back.

Walsall U-13 3 Stafford U-13 1 - 29.03.03
Walsall under-13s claimed the Staffordshire title with victory in this deciding game. Andrew Bentley (Shire Oak) set Walsall on the way when he headed home a Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) corner. Walsall missed further good chances before Nicholls increased the lead before half time. Stafford came back in the second half but the Walsall defence held firm with Gregg Stone (Arthur Terry) and Anthony Roman (Sneyd) both having a good game. Nicholls made the game safe with his second goal before Stafford finally found the back of the net.

Stafford U-13 0 Walsall U-13 4 - 22.03.03
Walsall under-13s produced an impressive performance in this Walsall Cup semi-final at Stafford. After keeper Duncan Rogers (Shire Oak) came to the rescue with a fine save in the first minute, Walsall were rarely troubled. Walsall missed several chances, including an Andy Bentley (Shire Oak) header cleared off the line, before Ben Clougher (Streetly) beat two defenders before chipping the keeper. Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) was denied by a great save but he set up Clougher for a second goal right on half time. Nicholls made the game safe with the third in the first minute of the second half. Bentley completed the scoring when he headed home a Nicholls corner.

Cannock U-13 0 Walsall U-13 4 - 15.03.03
Walsall under-13s made it four wins out of four in the Staffordshire league with an excellent performance at Cannock. Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) set Walsall on the way with the first goal and Steven Dougliss (Sneyd) added a second before half time with a header. Phil Lutwyche (Barr Beacon) finished off a good move for the third. Nicholls completed his brace to round off a good team performance with recent addition to the squad, Anthony Roman (Sneyd), again vying for man of the match.

Burton-on-Trent U-13 0 Walsall U-13 1 - 8.03.03
Walsall under-13s rang the changes in their Staffordshire encounter but were still too good for Burton. Even so Walsall only had a third minute Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) goal to show for their efforts. Ben Clougher (Streetly) and Callum Williamson (Barr Beacon) both spurned difficult chances as Walsall strove to make the game safe. Gregg Stone (Arthur Terry) and recent addition to the squad, Anthony Roman (Sneyd), both played well for Walsall.

Walsall U-13 6 Wolverhampton U-13 0 - 1.03.03
Walsall under-13s completed their West Midlands league section games with a thrashing of big rivals Wolverhampton to claim a semi-final spot. All the goals came in a scintillating second half performance after a dull first half. Steven Dougliss (Sneyd) found the top corner with a screamer in the second minute and Richard Davies (Pool Hayes) quickly added a second. Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) made it three in five minutes as Wolves reeled. Davies and Dougliss each scored again in another two-minute blast midway through the half. Callum Williamson (Barr Beacon) completed the rout with the last kick of the game.

Stafford U-13 3 Walsall U-13 2 - 15.02.03
On a day when all other games were called off Walsall under-13s slipped to a first-ever West Midlands defeat in this their third season. A change of venue enabled the game to be played on a just playable pitch and Walsall chose not to start with their strongest side. Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) had a couple of chances for Walsall in the first half and keeper Liam Rogers (Brownhills) played well to keep Stafford out. Two goals for Stafford in a two-minute spell in the second half rocked Walsall and although Nicholls pulled a goal back, the home side restored their two-goal cushion. Walsall’s Danny Jarvis (Aldridge) cleared a shot off the line before Walsall piled on the pressure only to be denied by the Stafford keeper. With three minutes left Andrew Bentley (Shire Oak) got on the end of a corner kick to give Walsall hope, but it was too late.

Solihull U-13 1 Walsall U-13 3 (ESFA/Walsall Cup quarter-final replay) - 8.02.03
Walsall under-13s had this Walsall Cup quarter-final replay wrapped up after a pulsating first half performance. Skipper Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) was switched to play up front and within five minutes he provided the pass for Ben Clougher (Streetly) to run on and lob the keeper for the first goal. Clougher then hit the post and a Solihull counter-attack ended with keeper Duncan Rogers (Shire Oak) making a brilliant block. Richard Davies (Pool Hayes) then set Nicholls free and his delicate chip found the net for Walsall’s second. Nicholls turned provider again when he beat the keeper to the ball on the edge of the box and his cross found Clougher who made no mistake. Solihull’s Tyrone Sheppard pulled a goal back near the end.

Walsall U-13 2 Solihull U-13 2 (ESFA/Walsall Cup quarter-final) - 18.01.03
Solihull came close to being the first side to defeat Walsall under-13s this season in this Walsall Cup quarter-final. Walsall just shaded the first half and Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) gave them the lead five minutes before the break with a 20-yard shot. Ben Clougher (Streetly) then missed a chance to increase the lead in a one-on-one with the keeper. Solihull equalised early in the second half and then had two shots cleared off the line before taking the lead. Walsall earned a replay when Phil Lutwyche (Barr Beacon) forced the ball home after a goalmouth scramble.

Cannock U-13 2 Walsall U-13 2 - 14.12.02
Walsall under-13s went in front inside the first minute of this West Midlands game when Ben Clougher (Streetly) crossed for Kieran Moran (St. Thomas More) to head home. Cannock hit back with a well-taken equaliser from Jan Stephens but Walsall continued to create chances. Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) saw his effort fly over the bar before Clougher hit a looping shot into the top corner to restore Walsall’s lead. The second half saw Walsall creating more chances but a rare Cannock foray into the Walsall area saw Carl Randall grab another equaliser. Nicholls was denied by a superb double save and Clougher had a goal disallowed as Walsall searched in vain for the winning goal.

Walsall U-13 3 Wolverhampton U-13 1 - 7.12.02
After a scrappy first half in this Staffordshire game Walsall under-13s fell behind to a second half goal from Wolverhampton’s Shane Nicholls (Deansfield). At this point there seemed no way back for a Walsall team struggling to find any form but within a minute skipper Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) hit the angle with a long-range effort. Nicholls then produced a great pass for Steven Dougliss (Sneyd) to score with an unstoppable shot. A minute later Richard Davies (Pool Hayes) bettered the first Walsall goal to put them in front with a scorcher. Dougliss then continued the goal of the season competition with a goal that would be hard to beat at any level. Near the end Nicholls saw another long-range effort scrambled away.

Stoke-on-Trent U-13 0 Walsall U-13 4 - 30.11.02
Walsall completed a double celebration in the under-13 game but as in the under-12 game they had to wait until the second half to make the game safe. Ben Clougher (Streetly) gave Walsall a good start when he found the roof of the net from the edge of the box after ten minutes. Walsall then squandered good chances before the break. Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) made the game safe with two goals in five minutes. Clougher grabbed his second goal near the end. Richard Davies (Pool Hayes) had another good performance in midfield, as did Gregg Stone (Arthur Terry) when he came on as substitute.

Walsall U-13 3 Halesowen and Stourbridge U-13 0 - 9.11.02
Walsall under-13s found Halesowen and Stourbridge in determined mood in the first half as they defended stoutly in this West Midlands game. Walsall held a slender single goal lead at half time thanks to Ben Clougher (Streetly) latching onto a through ball as the visitors were hit on the break. Clougher set up Callum Williamson (Barr Beacon) for Walsall’s second. With Richard Davies (Pool Hayes) producing another dominant performance in midfield Walsall took. Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) grabbed the third goal with a 25-yarder into the roof of the net. 

Brierley Hill and Dudley U-13 0 Walsall U-13 4 - 19.10.02
Walsall under-13s recorded another big West Midlands win as they outplayed Brierley Hill and Dudley. Walsall took the lead early on when a cross from Ben Clougher (Streetly) was deflected into the net by a defender. Minutes later a cross from Gregg Stone (Arthur Terry) found Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) for the second goal. Callum Williamson (Barr Beacon) scored Walsall’s third goal before the break when he finished off a good move to cap a fine personal performance. Walsall’s second half keeper Duncan Rogers (Shire Oak) pulled off a good save and from the very next move Kieran Moran (St. Thomas More) completed the scoring. Recent recruit Kieron Parsons (Willenhall) was outstanding for Walsall at the back.

Walsall U-13 1 Halesowen and Stourbridge U-13 0 (ESFA Area 5 Walsall F.C. Cup) - 12.10.02
A first half goal from Kieran Moran (St. Thomas More) was enough to give Walsall under-13s a narrow victory over Halesowen and Stourbridge in the Walsall Cup. The win puts Walsall through to the quarter final where they play either Cannock or Solihull at home.
Information from Graeme Hollinshead and the Express and Star.

Stoke-on-Trent U-13 0 Walsall U-13 3 - 5.10.02
Walsall under-13s opened their Staffordshire programme with a good performance at Stoke. Ben Clougher (Streetly) set them on the way when he headed home a cross from man of the match Steven Dougliss (Sneyd). A Ricky Nicholls (St. Thomas More) long-range effort slipped through the keeper’s hands for Walsall’s second goal after the break. With Kieron Parsons (Willenhall) solid at the back for Walsall, Stoke rarely threatened and it was no surprise when Nicholls grabbed his second and Walsall’s third with another good strike.

Warley U-13 1 Walsall U-13 7 - 28.09.02
Walsall under-13s kicked off their West Midlands campaign in splendid fashion by completely outplaying Warley. Walsall were 4-0 up at halftime thanks to two goals from Ben Clougher (Streetly) and further goals from Ryan Edwards (Streetly) and Kieran Moran (St. Thomas More). Moran scored his second after the break and Clougher added two more to his personal tally. Ricardo Read scored a late goal for Warley but Walsall could easily have scored more.