Wardle Academy Year 7 football team win the Rochdale Schools Cup

Wardle Academy Year 7 football team win the Rochdale Schools Cup

The Wardle Academy Year 7 Boys football team played in the final against Holy Family; an opposition that had easily beaten the majority of teams in the borough.

The two heavyweights came to battle it out on the 30 April with the winner to be crowned the champions of Rochdale. The record stood with Wardle Academy having played 7 games, winning 6 and drawing one. Holy Family also had an impressive record of 4 wins, 1 draw and only 1 loss.

The whistle was blown, the battle commenced and the anxiety levels rose.

Holy Family attacked the whole of the first half, playing downhill, using it to their advantage.

The Wardle Academy defence had held together to stop the barrage of attacks and looked to counter as soon as they gained possession of the ball.

At half time the game stood at 0-0; no substitutions had been made and it was proving to be a tight game.

The second half of the game saw a change in attitude from Wardle Academy; they threw the ball forward to the opposition’s 18 yard box but none were executed.

Extra time began; motivational speeches from the coaches had ended and once again tensions were high.

The game began as it started; battles in all areas of the pitch just to gain possession the ball, however then, out of nowhere…Goal! JD Terry managed to push the ball past the keeper who was too slow to react, allowing Wardle to get the first goal of the game, 1-0!

The teams swapped round for the last ten minutes of the game and it was all to play for.

Three minutes into the second half of extra time…Goal! Zac Perren the lone striker finally got what he deserved; the man of the match Zac had waited patiently throughout the whole game to get his chance and when it arrived he did not disappoint, slotting the ball into the back of net.

The final whistle was blown and Wardle Academy were crowned champions.

Holy Family were more than worthy contenders but true grit and determination from the Wardle Academy boys enabled them to succeed.

Wardle Academy Year 7 Boys football team, winners, champions and the greatest in Rochdale.