Eight is great for Sevens

Mace Goodridge surges forward.

FAILSWORTH Sports College’s Year Sevens are through to the last-32 of the ESFA Under-12 Danone Nations Schools’ Cup courtesy of an 8-1 victory over St Wilfrid’s (Wakefield).

John Buckley’s brace was complemented by efforts from Kane Kelly, Cameron McDonough, Klaeton Coley, Tom Wilson, Mace Goodridge and Luke Donegan. Their reward is a trip to Meadowhead School (Sheffield) in the next round, with the tie to be played on or before January 14.

The team is coached by former Athletic striker David McNiven (33), who spent five years at Boundary Park. Now playing for Workington in the Blue Square Bet North, he joined the school’s PE department on a full-time basis earlier this year and hopes to guide the youngsters all the way to the final.

He said: “The lads were fantastic against St Wilfrid’s and thoroughly deserved the win.

“Some of our attacking play was superb, but I must say the defenders were excellent too — just because the game was one-sided they still had to be on their toes.

“The St Wilfrid’s teacher said we were the best team he had seen in his five years as a coach so I am happy with that.

“I don’t know how far we can go, but it would be wonderful to go the distance. The initial aim was to reach the last 32 which we have managed. Now it is going to get very tough, starting at Meadowhead next month.”

McNiven has been encouraged by the way in which the Failsworth players have taken to his style of coaching. He added: “I want the lads to express themselves on the pitch. The first few rounds were about going out there and enjoying it, but the competition gets much harder from here on in so it is serious stuff. “We are playing good football and they respond positively to the ideas I try to get across.”