Youngsters secure national accolade with victory over their Bournemouth counterparts at Wembley
Representing Bolton Wanderers, Bolton School Junior Boys’ football team emerged victorious at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Football League Trust Kids Cup Final.
In a closely contested clash, the youngsters overcame St James’ School who represented AFC Bournemouth to run out 3-1 winners prior to the SkyBet Championship Play-Off Final between Derby County and Queens Park Rangers.
Despite the Bolton outfit eventually securing the trophy, it was their southern counterparts who opened the scoring as an instinctive tip onto the bar by goalkeeper Jensen Myerscough saw the ball drop to St James’ striker Liam Finnigan who bundled home from four yards out.
Not to be deterred however, Wanderers hit back and began to stamp their authority on the game, peppering former Cherries’ shot stopper Vince Bartram’s son in the Bournemouth goal.
An equaliser appeared to be imminent, and it came after some patient build up play saw Jameson Goloba fouled in the area with the youngster stepping up to emphatically dispatch the resulting spot kick to ensure that the scores were level at the break.
Visibly boosted by their equaliser, the Bolton School youngsters soon found themselves ahead as despite Bartram initially saving Joshua Stephenson’s effort, the shot ultimately trickled in to send the players into raptures.
The result was put beyond doubt with a matter of minutes remaining however as Cian Spencer-McDermott made it three for Wanderers with a well taken free-kick from 20 yards out, with the young boys climbing the famous Wembley steps to receive their trophy following the final whistle.
Speaking following the conclusion of the game, Katie Bent of the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust praised the players for their efforts at the national stadium.
“The boys behaved impeccably throughout their weekend in the capital and were expertly guided by coaches Mike Duxbury and Andy Woodhead alongside myself and Jayne Jackson of the club’s Community Trust.
“They enjoyed the use of the Wembley changing facilities and were also given first class seats for the Play-Off Final itself.
“We are incredibly proud of them - they earned the right to play on the hallowed turf of Wembley having won earlier local and regional rounds and their success is all the more impressive given that 12,000 children in teams from around the country had taken part in the competition.”