Priestley College, Warrington won the John Sleigh (Cheshire) Cup on Thursday defeating West Cheshire College 3-0.
The win at county level came just a week after the team reached the final of the national AoC Cup, which will be played in May.
Captain Jamie Smith, a former pupil at King’s School Academy, said: “West Cheshire came out with a game plan to intimidate and frustrate us, but we kept our cool and played some of the best football we’ve played all year.”
The only goal of the first half was scored by Scott Gatley, a point-blank finish after the keeper spilled a dangerous Tom Kirkpatrick free kick.
After that West Cheshire earned a couple of dangerous shots on target, but an in-form Josh McMutrie pulled off two world class saves to keep the score at 1-0.
During the second half McMutrie prevented the ball from flying into the top corner with another impressive save before Josh Sigsworth came off the bench to fire a shot hard and low under the keeper to make it 2-0.
With the game being controlled by Priestley’s midfield and defence, Jamie Smith found some space and produced a lovely through ball for Jack Smith who slotted neatly past the goalkeeper.
“The whole team were amazing from start to finish and every player contributed to this victory,” said Priestley’s Football Academy manager Dan Jordan.
“It means we go into the national finals with our confidence high, believing we can be the best college team in the country.”
Priestley compete in the Association of Colleges National Cup Final at Bescot Stadium Walsall on May 1. In July the team travel to the United States to play in the New York City Cup, an international scholarship tournament.
