St Joseph’s do Latics proud

ALL SMILES . . . pictured at the Football League Kids’ Cup northern finals in Crewe with deputy headteacher Steve Hill are St Joseph’s players Bailey Marsden, Keaton Wright, Joe Hewson, Patrick Killeen, Thomas Bailey, Tom Smith and Kade Wrigley. SIMON SMEDLEY

FOOTBALL: Talented footballers from St Joseph’s RC Primary School agonisingly missed out on a dream chance to play at Wembley Stadium.

Representing Oldham Athletic in the Football League Kids’ Cup northern finals, the boys had already got through two Oldham qualifying tournaments to book their place at the northern finals.

Also competing were primary school teams representing League One sides Bradford, Carlisle, Crewe, Notts County, Port Vale, Preston, Rotherham, Sheffield United, Shrewsbury, Tranmere and Wolves.

St Joseph’s were drawn in a group of six including Notts County, Carlisle, Crewe, Rotherham and Port Vale. The Oldham team took two wins and three draws to get into the semi-finals. But after a 0-0 draw with Preston, St Joseph’s lost 3-2 in a dramatic and nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out.

It was a tough way to lose, but school deputy head Steve Hill was full of praise for his side.

“The boys were great and did themselves, the school and the whole town of Oldham so proud throughout the day,” he said.