A primary school in Wilpshire is to represent Blackburn Rovers in a football competition, after winning a match.
A close fought contest saw Salesbury Primary School earn the right to represent Blackburn Rovers in the Utilita Kids Cup northern finals stage, following their victory over Shadsworth Junior School.
The two schools had come out on top in their respective heats in December.
Salesbury, who have pedigree in the competition having won the tournament in 2015 with Adam Wharton, a former Rovers midfielder who recently joined Crystal Palace, in the side, struck first when Ollie reacted quickest to a rebound from his own shot that had initially hit the bar.
Just after the break they doubled their lead when Freddie fired the ball into the corner of the goal after receiving the ball out wide.
Shadsworth halved the deficit minutes later, but Salesbury held on to lift the trophy for winning the Blackburn Rovers regional stage of the competition.
Salesbury will now represent Rovers in the northern finals at Leeds in March where they will face off against fellow northern Championship sides for the right to reach Wembley.
Speaking following the victory goal scorer Ollie said: “We were all really happy to get to this stage of the tournament and we wanted to win the final.
“When we scored the first goal, we knew we had so stay with the same mentality to win the game.
“I am very excited now for the next round, as we get the opportunity to represent my team, Blackburn Rovers. It is a dream come true. We also got a tour of the training ground to see what happens here which was brilliant.”
Teacher Stephen Bird, who coached the winning team, said: “The team felt good coming into the game and they were looking forward to playing at a premier league standard facility. They enjoyed it but it was nerve wracking, especially when the opposition scored to make it 2-1.
“Both teams played really well, and we are chuffed we won the game. The dream is to reach the national final and play at Wembley, we have done it before. It is a long journey, but we are looking forward to the next stage.
“As a school, we played at Wembley in 2009 with Scott Wharton (defender for Blackburn Rovers) in our team. We also won the 2015 final at Wembley with Adam Wharton in the team too.
“The next part of the tournament will be really tough but we are excited to represent Blackburn Rovers and hopefully go all of the way.”
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