St Mary's Royston Football Team Win County Finals

In an exhilarating display of skill, determination, and teamwork, the Year 6 boys football team from St Mary's has emerged victorious in the County Football Tournament, winning in a nail-biting penalty shootout after a hard-fought tournament of 6 matches.

The tournament, which took place at Parmiters School in Watford, was played in a competitive but friendly manner. After 5 challenging matches, St Mary’s progressed through to the final as group winners.

The final remained 0-0 after full time, the addition of extra time still led to no winner.  A penalty shoot out was the only way left to decide the winners.

"We are so proud of the whole team," said Coaches Ella Burrows and Gavin Pearce. "They showed incredible spirit, and despite the pressure, they kept their focus and played brilliantly. The penalty shootout was nerve-wracking, but the players really stepped up when it mattered, and Thomas made a wonderful save to win us the tournament.  They are a really special group of players and we are so proud of them and their achievements."

The victory marks the first time in the school's history that St Mary's has won the prestigious North East and County tournaments, and the excitement was evident throughout the school. Students, staff, and parents celebrated the victory with cheers and applause, with many praising the team's resilience and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

Captain Joshua Cooke said, "It was such an amazing feeling to win. Everyone played their part, and we all worked together as a team. The penalty shootout was intense, but we believed in each other, and that's what got us through."

The team will now be preparing for the regional finals in March, with their sights set on even greater achievements.