The Sixth Form College Crowned Wirral Cup Champions 2016

The Sixth Form College boys first XI are celebrating after being crowned Wirral Cup U19 Champions 2016, making it a hattrick of wins over the last three years.

The team lifted the cup at Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park stadium after a thrilling 3-2 Cup Final win over Neston – a victory that looked unlikely after going into half time two goals down.

Some inspired substitutions saw The Sixth Form College come back into the game with a stunning 25-yard strike from superstar-in-the-making, Ollie Nugent, followed by a calmly struck penalty from fellow substitute Sam Haley after Nugent forced a handball in the area from a Neston defender.

Haley’s second of the game and the decisive goal of the match came through a tidy finish, linking up with Kevin Day down the left and celebrating with a front flip in the corner of the pitch for the small army of supporters. The boys hung on despite some late pressure from Neston and got their hands on the Wirral Cup for the third time in three years.

Josh Gilbert, who is currently in his first year at The Sixth Form College commented, "It was a really good game and great to come back from two goals down. The whole team were buzzing when we won. I am hoping to repeat the victory again next year!"

First team Coach and Sport & PE teacher, Adam Thomas, said: “We didn't get into our stride in the first half and Sam Lane kept us in the game with some good saves despite the 2-0 score line. The second half, we came out determined and set the pace of the game as a team closing down and trying to play good football. Our skill levels shone through and the team grew in confidence. I always knew that as soon as we got one goal back we would win it!"

Adam continued: "The players were a credit to the college, behaving impeccably and showing respect for their opponents after such a dramatic comeback which must have left Neston really disappointed.

"It was our third Wirral Cup win in a row and ends a great season for the boys, having narrowly finished runners up in the Merseyside Elite College League. The second team were the highest ranked second XI in Merseyside too, and the girls team also won a lot of their fixtures. Plenty of our footballers are first year students, so hopefully they do well in their exams and we can be even more successful next year."

The Wirral Cup victory came just days after the boys second XI won the League 1 Playoff Final. Two goals from Connor Strong-Watson edged out local rivals Wirral Met in the game at South Liverpool FC which ended 2-1 to the college. The seconds also finished as runners-up in their league campaign.

The Wirral Cup Final Squad was as follows: Sam Lane, Matthew Thomson, Liam Trickett, Sam Collingwood, Jacob Drayton, Adam Sunners, Josh Gilbert, Danny Berkson, Kevin Day, Connor Strong-Watson, Adam Ledgerton, Ollie Nugent, Sam Haley, Charlie Bennett, Zak Dooley, Adam Cunningham and Matthew Darlington.

Wirral Cup Final 2016