NOTTINGHAMSHIRE Schools' Under 16 representative squad made a winning start to their Midland Counties League matches when they defeated Humberside 4-2 at Collingham.
The competition is organised in two Leagues, West and East, with the two top teams in each group going through to knockout semi-finals.
The first 30 minutes saw Notts often under pressure, but with Will Skillington (Arnold Hill), Jordan Stewart (Carlton-le-Willows) and Sop Ubah (Nottingham Academy) resolute in defence they restricted the visitors to few chances.
The Humberside pressure was rewarded, however, in the 30th minute when an attack down the right was brought to an abrupt end by the Notts keeper Keaton Sharpe (Christ the King), who conceded a penalty and received a booking.
Humberside made no mistake from the spot, but to their credit Notts battled back and drew level just before half-time when Kieron Harrison let fly from 25 yards and found the top corner of the net.
Making an improved start to the second half, they took the lead in the 50th minute with a rather bizarre goal.
A free-kick from the left was headed goalwards by Pierce Bird(Nottingham Academy), but the strong wind which affected the whole match blew the ball back towards him and he dispatched it into the net with his second attempt.
There was then a lengthy delay when Notts keeper Zac Simpson (Brunts), who had replaced Sharpe at the break, was injured making a brave save at the foot of the post and Sharpe resumed in goal.
Humberside were still well in the game and drew level following a clever one-two inside the area which concluded when the ball was slipped under the advancing keeper.
Nottinghamshire were not to be denied and eight minutes from time Curtis Millward (Carlton-le-Willows), who had an impressive second half, latched onto a through ball and deftly lobbed the keeper from just inside the area to make the score 3-2.
Notts then clinched their victory in the dying minutes when a header from a corner was blocked but forced over the line by Jack Pollock.
Nottinghamshire's will now face Lincolnshire and Derbyshire in the Spring term in their bid to reach the semi-finals.
Nottingham Academy (pictured) will represent Nottingham in the East Midlands Finals of the English Schools' FA Munich Trophies Under 12 5-a-side tournament in late January.
They qualified for this stage by winning the Nottingham Schools' Under 12 Boys' 5-a-side tournament in the past term.
Nottingham's representatives in the girls' section will be Bluecoat Academy, who won the City Under 12 girls' event.
