THE boys under-13s football team from Walkwood Middle School have went on an incredible journey all the way to the final of the English Schools FA National Cup.

The indomitable team overcame the odds to reach last Monday’s final, becoming the first middle school team in the county to do so, before being edged out 4-3 in a thrilling final by Northampton School for Boys at Chester FC’s Proact Stadium.

It ended a remarkable campaign for Walkwood’s footballing titans, who also won the County Cup, playing 25 matches in a season extended because of their prowess in knockout competitions.

PE teach Martyn West, who also manages the team, said: “I don’t believe we will see this sort of achievement again, they are the first middle school team from Worcestershire to reach the final.

“The team have shown tremendous spirit, desire and hunger to get this far.

“They have beaten sides from private schools, from sports academies, they have overcome every obstacle in their way.”

Walkwood went into the final after a semi-final win over St Thomas More Catholic School full of confidence but they came up against the side which knocked them out of the final 32 last season.

With a travelling army of 300 fans, Walkwood were nearly ahead when Matt Smith’s free-kick hit the woodwork.

But they opened the scoring when Jack Nicholls fired them ahead but Northampton bagged a leveller almost immediately.

Smith scored twice in the second half but on each occasion Walkwood’s rivals equalised to force extra-time.

But Walkwood’s hearts were broken when Northampton bagged the winner in the first half of extra-time.

  • Incredible journey: Walkwood Middle School under-13s reached the final of the English Schools FA National Cup.

Back row (left to right): Martyn West (manager), Jack Cole, Matt Smith, Billy Webb, Jayke Haines, Jack Davis, Fraser Duggan, Bradley Burnett, Ashley Lane, S. Walsh (Head Coach). Front row: Ryan Dipple, Chris Dyson, Jack Turner, Ben Thomas, Jack Nicholls, Dan Poxon, Billy Rowlands.