The youngsters show their magic on the pitch as they fly into the Regional Finals after sweeping the opposition away.
Thursday saw the Stanley Sports Hub host the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Kids Cup Finals, as the best eight teams in the local area battled it out for a place in the next stage of the competition.
Teams were split into two groups, Group A featuring Peel Park, Benjamin Hargreaves, St Michael & St Johns and Pendle. Group B consisted of Barrow, All Saints, St Peter’s & St Paul’s and St Mary’s Osbaldeston.
Despite the wet conditions, all teams battled out the group stages with great sportsmanship and were rewarded when the first signs of light broke through the grey and dark conditions above. Alas, it was only the floodlights bursting into life. Luckily, the standard of football on display brought a plenty bright enough shine on the day.
A tightly contested group stage saw the winners and runners up from both groups progressing to the semi-finals. Pendle and Benjamin Hargreaves made it out of Group A as winner and runner up respectively, with Barrow and All Saints taking those positions in Group B.
As the tournament entered the latter stages, it was clear that all teams were ready to step up to the occasion, giving their all to reach the final. Convincing wins for both Pendle and Benjamin Hargreaves, 2-0 and 3-1 over All Saints and Barrow respectively, meant the final would be a Group A grudge match.
With the rain still pouring down, nothing could be done to dampen the spirits of both camps going into the match. However, it was Pendle who took the initiative, striking early on to take a 1-0 lead. Benjamin Hargreaves huffed and puffed, creating numerous chances but Pendle stood tall and upon hearing the final whistle, could not contain their emotions with every player running over to each other to celebrate as a team.
Pendle’s victory means they will represent Accrington Stanley at the League One North Regional Finals in February, where we wish them all the best as they compete for a chance to play at Wembley.
None of the other seven teams should be too disheartened as all participants showed a great attitude all afternoon and were magnanimous in defeat and we’d like to wish a huge thank you and well done to all players, staff and parents who made the effort to attend.
Head of Sport Lee Walsh believes the afternoon was a great success “this is an annual event which starts with local tournaments held in Accrington & Clitheroe in partnership with Hyndburn & Ribble Valley School Sports Partnership. 4 teams from each qualifier come together for this area final. The weather was horrible, but we managed to get 4 pitches going at once so at least there was no standing around. For the children anyway! There were some very damp adults on the side! Well done to all the children that took part’’
