WILLOW LANE CHAMPS & BLS QUALIFY

On a sun soaked Tuesday afternoon, 20 local Primary schools desended on Lancaster & Morecambe College astro to contest this years Primary Danone Football County Qualifier, with the highest placed Lancaster area school and the highest placed Heysham area school would go forward to the County event and compete against the best teams in Lancashire.

It was brilliant to be outside in the sunshine.  The atmosphere was amazing, with some fantastic skills and attitudes on display.  The event was in a Champions League format, group stage, with top two from each group qualifying for the quarter-finals and knockout rounds.

Bolton le Sands did well to qualify from the group of death with Slyne, a group that also included Great Wood, Mossgate, Lancaster Road and Torrisholme.  It was a really tight afair with all teams taking points off each other.

Overton St Helens and St Peters made it out of Group B, at the cost of Caton St Paul's, Trumacar and Morecambe Bay.  Caton St Paul's only 3 points off first place, just missing out.

Skerton St Lukes, St Patrick's and Carnforth Community just missed out with Ellel and Grosvenor Park qualifying from Group C.

Group D was very close, with Willow Lane top and Bowerham just pipping St Wilfrid's to second place based on their head-to-head match - Bowerham winning 1-0.  Cathedral and a second Slyne team also just missing out.

On to the knockout stages.

Bolton le Sands beat St Peters, then Slyne with Hest to make it to the final.  Willow Lane beat Grosvenor Park on a Golden Goal, then Ellel to reach the final. 

The final itself was very tight, it was going to take something special to win the game.  With the game looking like going to extra time, Willow Lane midfielder tried his luck from 18 yards out, and in it went, crashing in off the bar, the crowd was agast, 'we all love an in off the bar' someone shouted.  BLS pressed to get the equalising goal and with plenty of shots, nothing clear cut with the Willow Lane keeper in good form, the final whistle went with both teams giving it their all.  Both teams qualify for the County event and will be amazing representatives.

Congratulations to Willow Lane for becoming this years Champions, but also to everyone involved.

Special thanks to LMC staff and leaders who managed the event and refereed impeccibly.

Full results can be downloaded below.