St Bede's 1st XI end the season victorious in the Sussex Cup

St Bede’s 1st Xl footballers followed up their recent National success with victory in the Sussex Cup final last night, against a spirited Lancing side. Tough conditions meant that the game was a tight and combative affair but St Bede’s ran out 2 – 1 winners to cap off a magnificent season for the squad.

St Bede’s started sprightly and were awarded a penalty after 15 minutes. The Lancing goalkeeper pulled off a great save from James Norwood’s effort and Lancing were certainly given a boost to their game by this. Norwood however, made amends when he scored after 30 minutes converting a cross from Moritz Diemer to put St Bede’s a goal up. Lancing then came back strongly and equalised when they scored on the break to even things up.

Again the St Bede’s character shone through when they picked themselves up to take a strong foothold in the game again and got ahead again just before half time when Michael Oluwatosin broke down the left and crossed for Moritz Diemer to head home. The second half was a close encounter and both sides had chances to score again but St Bede’s held firm and claimed their second major victory of what has been a brilliant season.

In March the team won the English Schools’ Football Association cup from an original starting field of 2,400 schools. On June 13th the boys have been invited to take part in a parade of champions at Wembley before and ESFA match in which St Bede’s striker James Norwood will be playing.

St Bede’s Head of PE and 1st XI Coach Dave Leggett said: ‘They are a fantastic bunch of boys who have been a real pleasure to work with. They deserve their success and I could not be more proud of them: they are genuine sportsmen and young men who understand the importance of team play’.