School Football: Putteridge win through to Bedfordshire Schools’ FA Challenge Cup final

Putteridge Primary School claimed a penalty shoot-out victory over Robert Bloomfield Academy in the semi-finals of the Bedfordshire Schools’ FA Challenge Cup last Wednesday.

The Shefford school had comprehensively beaten last year’s winner in an earlier round and started strongly.

Bloomfield enjoyed plenty of the ball, but Putteridge took the lead when Ross Hannah, who caused problems for the opposing defence all game, rounded the keeper and slotted home.

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A bobbly pitch hindered Putteridge’s quick-passing and, although the hosts still enjoyed more possession, Putteridge led at the break.

A tough second half followed with untroubled keeper Owen Moody always alert behind the fantastic defensive wall of Callum Cawsey, Taeylor Bowen-Phillips and Josh Ball.

However, the hosts levelled with five minutes to go when a hopeful long punt forward was expertly volleyed home into the far corner by the Bloomfield winger.

The home side finished the strong as Moody pulled off a wonder save to take the game to penalties.

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Owen then saved a spot-kick in the shoot-out as Josh Straker rifled home the winning penalty into the top corner.

Deputy Head Rob Weightman added: “Well done to the Putteridge team who continue to go from strength-to-strength reaching heights we could not imagine before!

“It should also be noted that in this competition we have played away in every round and they have played against schools with far bigger intakes.

“We should all feel very proud of them.”

Squad: Daniel Morris, Callum Cawsey, Taeylor Bowen-Phillips, Owen Moody, Joshua Ball, Joshua Straker, Tyler Aspell, Luca Kapadia, Lewis Lynn, James Cook, Ross Hannah.