20 primary schools from across Blackpool took part in the annual English Football League Kids Cup. The 6-a-side tournament took place at Stanley Park where over 150 pupils competed to win the trophy, and the opportunity to represent Blackpool F.C Community Trust in the North Regional competition later this year. After 47 matches and 155 goals, Layton Primary School were crowned the 2017 EFL Kids Cup Winners. It took a single goal in extra time to see off a very impressive Roseacre Primary Academy team.
During the early group stages, both Bispham Endowed and Layton impressed, as did Roseacre and last years runners-up Moor Park in their respective groups. Current Kids Cup holders Stanley fell at the group stages as Hawes Side and Anchorsholme progressed from a very competitive Group C.
Route to the final:
Roseacre needed penalties to progress from the quarter-finals after a tight 0-0 draw with Waterloo, whilst Layton beat Anchorsholme 3-2 to see themselves into the semi-finals. Layton came from a goal behind to see off Hawes Side 2-1 and Roseacre once again required penalties to reach the final after a 1-1 draw against Moor Park.
The final was pulsating, with Roseacre very much on the front foot. Chance after chance came for Roseacre but they couldn’t convert their pressure into goals. Layton grew into the game during the latter stages which made for a fast paced and exciting match. The game finished 0-0 and extra-time was required. Both teams picked up where they left off and went for the win. Layton were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area which was converted, and they held out to be crowned Kids Cup Winners.
Layton will now progress to the North Regional finals to represent Blackpool F.C Community Trust in Doncaster, where they will compete against nine other clubs and their respective school winners. The ten teams will battle it out for the opportunity to play at Wembley.
A massive thank you to the students from Blackpool FC Community Trust BTEC Education Programme who supported the planning and delivery of the event as part of their course. Thank you to everyone who took part and a big well done to all teams. Good luck to Layton in the next round.
