St Bede's boys through to prestigious national final - The Redditch Standard

St Bede's boys through to prestigious national final

Redditch Editorial 23rd Mar, 2017   0

ST BEDE’S Catholic Middle School’s year eight boys’ team are celebrating after reaching the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) PlayStation Schools’ Cup national final.

Their 4-0 victory over Ashington High School of Northumberland means they are the first St Bede’s 11-a-side team to reach an ESFA national final.

St Bede’s started strongly in the semi-final at Redditch United and were rewarded when Charlie Williams’ cross found its way into the net at the back post.

Ashington then pressed and dominated for ten minutes but the St Bede’s back four of Matt Barratt, Tom Sanders, Regan Salisbury and Cian Amphlett held firm and keeper Callum Read made two outstanding saves to keep the score at 1-0.




St Bede’s then grabbed a second goal when a Harry Bradley shot crashed off the crossbar and, in the melee that followed, Jake Staunton managed to head home.

George Hall’s goal made it 3-0 at half time and left St Bede’s in command.


The second half was again a keenly contested affair but a tap-in from Williams put St Bede’s 4-0 up and after that the defence held firm, while further chances were created at the other end.

Brandon Catton and James Wynne played particularly well and Archie Brady went close to scoring a fifth goal.

St Bede’s will play All Hallows Catholic School of Aldershot in the final. The date and venue is still to be confirmed, but it has been hinted the final will be played at a Premier League stadium.

St Bede’s assistant principal Matt Russell said: “I would like to express my thanks to all those that made the effort to watch this match. We are grateful of the support the boys have received throughout the year.

“The estimate from Redditch United was that there were more than 350 people watching the game last Thursday.

“Our current year eight team have always been a talented bunch of footballers. They have won the District Championship every year they have been in school and also won the County Championship last year.

“In last year’s National Cup, they reached the last 32 in which they were unluckily eliminated by Wigston Academy from Leicestershire.

“This year has been a different story, with the team going on a 22-match winning run. This is even more remarkable when you consider St Bede’s has had no pitch to use following the completion of a multi-million-pound sports hall, which included the pitches being levelled and drained.

“The boys have had limited training but are grateful to Woodfield Academy, St Augustine’s High and Redditch United for allowing them to play and train at the various pitches.

“In the District Cup, they dominated all in front of them, winning their group comfortably and beating Birchensale to reach the final in which they defeated Woodfield Academy at Redditch United.

“In the County Cup, the boys have beaten King Charles, Hanley Castle and Blessed Edward Oldcorne to reach the final in which they will play Bredon Hill Academy at Redditch United.”

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