Football Academy scores a place in national colleges final

Hopwood Hall College’s Football Academy team

Hopwood Hall College’s Football Academy enjoyed a magnificent victory in the semi-final of the national Under 18s Colleges Trophy competition on Wednesday (27 February), against the much fancied Sunderland College. The competition is run by the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) and some 127 colleges from across England took part.

The visiting Sunderland lads came with a strong reputation as a good footballing side, plying their trade in a higher division than the Hopwood lads back home in the North East. Sunderland, however, were no match for Hopwood who controlled the game from the first minute to the last. Hopwood’s high tempo passing game was simply too much for Sunderland to cope with.

Two goals in the first 15 minutes from Hopwood students Luke Heron and Kane Hughes galvanised the home team, their hard work and quality play frustrating Sunderland as the game went on.

Hopwood created further chances, leaving the Sunderland manager to make substitutions after only 30 minutes, but changing players and the shape of his team made no difference. A third goal from Jordan Cooper a couple of minutes before the break sealed their fate.

Hopwood continued in the same vein in the second half and added two more goals from Liam Wood and Luke Heron (his second of the game) to earn a well-deserved 5-0 victory and a place in the final of this prestigious competition.

This national competition started with a 127 teams and it’s now down to the final two, with Hopwood playing Stanmore College from London.

Rob Johnson, Football Academy Head Coach says: “Once again, Hopwood Hall
College will be competing against a team from a higher division; however, if they can match the performance of the semi-final, then there’s every chance of bringing home the silverware!”

The final will be held at the home of Fleetwood Town FC (Highbury) on Tuesday 12 March, 2.30 kick-off.