A long-distance strike saw a primary school football team take the trophy at a South Tyneside cup competition.
St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School in Jarrow won The Bart Ribbon Trophy, a competition open to all schools in South Tyneside.
The Year 5/6 boys’ football team from St Matthew’s, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, initially played three group games winning all three without conceding a goal. They qualified for the semi-finals and, after a close game which went to a penalty shoot-out, the Alnwick Grove school team won and progressed to the final. In the final, they played Westoe Crown Primary School from South Shields and won 1-0 thanks to a long-distance strike from pupil Jamie.
It is the second year running that St Matthew’s has won the football competition.
“The boys have had a great start to the season and played incredibly well during the whole tournament,” said Maddy Wiblin, PE Co-ordinator at St Matthew’s Catholic Primary School.
“It is quite an achievement to win the competition in consecutive years and full credit must be given to the boys, who have a great team spirit and show such a determined desire to win.
“A special mention to their coaches David Mole and Davey Patterson, who are so encouraging and supportive.”