THERE was glory for the Redditch District Schools U11s football team at the English Schools’ Football Association Midland Regional Inter-Association seven-a-side football tournament at the University of Nottingham sports ground.
The Redditch team, made up of youngsters from schools across the district, had qualified impressively for the Midlands finals and then proved their success was no flash in the pan as they clinched further success.
After qualifying unbeaten and finishing top of their group, they went on to beat Newark 1-0 in the semi-final as Josh McKeown grabbed a late winner to secure a place in the final against East Riding.
This again was a tight affair in which Redditch emerged eventual 1-0 victors as Jake Staunton netted the winner.
A strong defensive performance allowed the team to gain these narrow victories and Ridgeway Middle School’s George Hall was named player of the tournament.
Redditch will now go on to the National Finals in June to see if they can become champions of England.
Coaches Gavin Barratt and Mark Williams are very proud of the boys, who fully deserve to be through to the prestigious National Finals.
The team was made up of: Callum Monaghan (Walkwood); George Hall (Ridgeway); Matthew Barratt (St Bede’s); Charlie Williams (St Bede’s); George Skelton (St Bede’s); Harvey Neath (Walkwood); Cian Hodson (St Bede’s); Josh McKeown (Walkwood); Jake Staunton (Church Hill).
