Into the Quarter-Finals!

U18s march into the ISFA Bowl Quarter-Finals after an impressive 2–1 victory over Shiplake

Kew House School’s U18 squad continue to write a remarkable chapter in the school’s footballing history, earning a hard-fought 2–1 win over Shiplake to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Independent Schools Football Association (ISFA) Bowl. The competition, which began with 128 schools, has seen KHS progress through each round with growing confidence, quality, and resilience.

The third-round tie, played at Ealing Trailfinders, delivered everything expected of a knockout fixture. KHS started brightly, breaking the deadlock through Lance, who finished confidently after excellent link-up play in the final third. The momentum continued as Stanley doubled the lead with a decisive strike, contributing both a goal and an assist. Darshan provided the other assist, showcasing the team’s creativity and attacking depth.

Defensively, KHS were disciplined and organised, with Nico producing a standout performance that earned him Player of the Match. His composure and decision-making were crucial in managing Shiplake’s late pressure.

This victory builds on earlier ISFA Bowl successes against St Edward’s (2–0) and Radnor (7–2)—results that have marked KHS as a genuine contender.

Alongside their ISFA achievements, the squad also impressed in the England Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) Cup, reaching the Top 64 nationally despite competing against schools with significantly larger year groups. The team’s journey included thrilling wins over Richard Challoner (5–4) and Rutlish (2–0) before falling narrowly to Glyn School.

Following the latest win, captain Jesse Spence reflected on the team’s growth and ambition:

A tough game against competitive opposition. We are delighted with the result, but we know we can still improve our performance. This match shows how far we’ve come—we’re always looking to push ourselves and be better for the next round. Our ambition is to become the first Kew House team to win a national cup. The memories we’re creating together will stay with us forever, and we are determined for this incredible journey to continue.

With momentum building and belief rising, KHS now look ahead to the quarter-finals, eager to continue their historic run and push towards a place in the national semi-finals.