Alder Grange’s Year 10 football stars completed a hat-trick of wins in the prestigious Rossendale Cup – but needed extra-time to do it.

After beating Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School narrowly in the semi-final, they faced Whitworth High School in the final.

In a tight encounter, man of the match Lewis Hanley celebrated a well-taken hat-trick and Nathan Willets scored the other two in a 5-3 extra-time victory.

“It was a fantastic game of school football – both teams put in a real show of effort, determination and enjoyment,” said Alder Grange’s Curriculum Leader of PE Vanessa Holland.

“It is an achievement to be Rossendale champions three years in a row.”

However, Alder Grange Year eight football team couldn’t add to the silverware despite reaching Rossendale Cup final.

Alder Grange saw off the challenge of Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School on penalties in the quarter-finals – Joe Wedjer scoring the winning spot kick in sudden death.

In the semi-finals, they overcame All Saints 6-4, with Joe Saunders scoring a hat-trick.

Will Pilling opened the scoring for Alder Grange in the final with an individual goal but Whitworth came back to clinch the cup with a 4-1 victory.

Alder Grange’s man of the match in the final was Amran Hussain.