29/09/2026
The JCB Academy 2–2 Oswestry School
The JCB Academy win 5–4 on penalties! 🎉
Last week our U18s made history by competing in The JCB Academy’s first-ever competitive U18 National Cup fixture, welcoming a mixture of familiar faces from previous years alongside some new faces to the squad.
JCBA started brightly and created several early chances, but a strong performance from the Oswestry goalkeeper kept the scores level. Oswestry eventually broke the deadlock around the 25-minute mark to take a 1–0 lead.
However, JCBA responded brilliantly. A perfectly timed through ball from Leo T released Ashton F, who showed great composure to round the goalkeeper and level the game at 1–1.
JCBA started the second half strongly and soon took the lead. A fantastic lofted pass from Vinnie A found Ashton F, who calmly finished into the bottom corner for his second of the game. 2–1 JCBA! 🔥
With tired legs and a couple of injuries, Oswestry continued to push forward and eventually found an equaliser from a corner. The game finished 2–2, meaning the tie would be decided by penalties.
🎯 Penalty Shootout
Our five penalty takers — Charlie R, Ashton F, Vinnie A, Leo T and Callum C — all stepped up and showed incredible composure, converting all five penalties.
But the biggest moment belonged to our goalkeeper Sam M 🧤
Sam produced a fantastic save to deny Oswestry's second penalty before making another crucial intervention on their fourth, tipping the ball onto the post. It bounced up and somehow rolled into the net, creating an incredibly tense moment!
Despite that, JCBA held their nerve to win the shootout 5–4 and book their place in the third round of the ESFA National Cup! 🏆
A huge well done to the entire squad. Many of the players had never played together before, but they showed fantastic teamwork, determination, resilience and togetherness throughout the afternoon.
👏 Squad
Sam M • Luke D • Jack B • Charlie R • Freddy L • Aiden B • Ashton F • Vinnie A • Leo T • Ethan B • Santiago G • Callum C • Fraser D • Jacob D • Taylan S • Kuba C
⭐ Player of the Match: Vinnie A
Congratulations to everyone involved — The JCB Academy are into Round 3! 🏆⚽
