Six-a-side soccer stars from Ardingly College Junior School have kicked their way into the National Finals of the IAPS U13 Boys football contest, which takes place in Derbyshire next month.

The Ardingly team performed superbly in the regional competition, which took place at Rokeby School, Kingston, at the weekend, fending off some stiff competition to reach the semi-finals.

Here, they took on a team from Chigwell, Essex, and won on a Golden Goal after Chigwell scored an own goal.

In the final, they played the hosts Rokeby, which also went to Golden Goal, and, after this ended in a tie, the game went on to penalties. 

The three penalty shots were taken by team Captain Josh Taylor, Jonathan Cox and Alexander Rhodes, who all scored. Rokeby missed out after they missed one shot and Ardingly’s goalkeeper Abi Sakande saved another.

The Ardingly team now goes forward to the National Finals, being played out at Repton School, Derbyshire, on Sunday, November 18.

Other team members are William Durkin, George Waring, Tom Widdicombe and Seb Masters.

Ardingly College Junior School Football Coach Chris McGeorge said: “We have a strong side and should perform well in the finals but it will be fantastic experience for the boys whatever the result.”

The IAPS (Independent Association of Prep Schools) organises the tournament on an annual basis and the Ardingly College Juniors will be one of 12 teams taking part in the final, four from each region.