THE Year 5 and 6 Football Festival hosted by Bolton School attracted a huge 800 pupils in 80 teams from 40 local primary schools.
The annual event, which followed a Year 3 and 4 tournament at the same venue, saw teams participate in group games followed by a knockout competition and finals.
The Football Festival has been running for almost a decade and is now split into A team, B team and girls’ tournaments in short eight-minute matches.
Traditionally all three competitions are fiercely contested on 16 pitches, and this year was no exception.
The A team final saw Lostock Primary and St Brendan’s compete for the cup. The two teams were closely matched in skill and finished 0-0 draw to take it to a penalty shootout where St Brendan’s finally overcame their opponents 3-2.
The teams received gold and silver medals, with the St Brendan’s team taking home the cup.
The B team finalists were similarly well-matched, but Red Lane ultimately won 1-0 on penalties after a 0-0 draw against Sunning Hill.
In the girls’ tournament, the Bolton School junior girls’ team performed well, winning their group stage. They were unfortunately knocked out in the quarter-finals by Walmesley, who went on to make it all the way to the final where they faced Markland Hill who won 1-0.
The festival was organised by Bolton School’s head football coach and former Bolton Wanderers’ goalkeeper, Keith Branagan.
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