St Wilfrid’s win the Wigan Athletic Kids Cup 2017!
St Wilfrid’s win the Wigan Athletic Kids Cup 2017!
On Friday 29th September 2017, our U11s football team competed at the Wigan Athletic Community Kids Cup. The competition comprises of 39 other schools from across the entire Wigan Borough and is played over a group, knockout stage format. In each group, each team would play four games with a top two teams qualifying for the knockout stages. During the group stage, our team managed to finish top of the group, with three wins and one draw. In the round of 16, the team managed to overcome Orrell Newfold to win 3-1 and qualify for the quarter finals, with goals from Matthew and Jayden . In the quarter finals, the team faced Orrell St James’. The game was very close with neither team able to break the deadlock. However, after some hardwork down the right hand side, the ball was crossed in and Freddie pounced to give us a one goal lead. With little time remaining, we held of St James’ attacks and eventually won the game 2-0. The semi finals saw us pitted against Mabs Cross. It was an intense game with chances at both ends of the pitch. Ethan made an excellent save early on to keep the score at 0-0. Then, after incredible passion and determination, Matthew was able to break down the right hand side and fire the ball home to take the lead. Time was running out in the game and Mab’s pushed for an equaliser. Then a fast breakaway by Theo lead to our second goal and the game was over. THE FINAL! In the final we faced St Oswald’s. Both teams and been outstanding to get to this point in the competition. St Oswald’s had the early chances but Lewis and Jayden in the defence worked tirelessly to keep them out. Then the break through came! Again, another quick counter-attack saw Cassius use incredible strength to keep off the Oswald’s defender, and fired a low, hard shot passed the keeper in to the bottom corner! 1-0 to St Wilfrid’s! From the kick off though, St Oswald’s pressed to equalise. However they still couldn’t find the equaliser. Then, after some great work down the left hand side, Cassius was able to take another shot at goal. His shot deflected off the defender and passed the stranded goalkeeper to make it 2-0! Seconds were left on the clock as Ethan came out to punch away a corner. The whistle blew! St Wilfrid’s were Wigan Athletic Kids Cup champions of 2017. The players proudly celebrated lifting the trophy in front of parents and spectators. It was an amazing achievement for the team and for the school. The team now goes on to represent Wigan Athletic against Football League 1 clubs in a future football tournament next year. Well done everybody involved!
