WADDINGTON and West Bradford showed they were ‘spot on’ after they were crowned Ribble Valley Primary Schools Year Three/Four football champions for the first time.

A total of 19 schools from across the borough took part in the competition at Ribblesdale High School and Waddington clinched the title after holding their nerve to beat Whalley 3-2 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out - on of four matches decided on spot kicks on the day.

The annual competition saw the teams split into five groups with the top team - plus the three best second-placed schools - qualifying for the knockout stages.

In group A, St Leonard’s Langho qualified as group winners along with runners-up Salesbury ‘B’ ahead of Mellor and St Michael & St Johns.

St Mary’s Langho, with six points, qualified at the expense of Edisford, St Joseph’s Hurst Green and Sabden.

Simonstone and one of the best placed runners-up teams, Clitheroe St James, made it through from Group C that also included Oakhill and Balderstone.

And Group D saw Whalley and Salesbury ‘A’ progress to the quarter finals stage ahead of Pendle and Gisburn.

Eventually champions, Waddington and West Bradford, were the top dogs in Group E with Salesbury ‘C’ and St Mary’s Sabden failing to make it through to the last eight.

In the quarter finals, Waddington and West Bradford put down an early marker with an impressive a 3-0 victory over Clitheroe St James.

Simonstone booked their place in the semi finals but only after beating Salesbury ‘B’ 3-2 on penalties after the tie ended goalless.

Whalley beat St Leonard’s Langho 3-0 to set up a semi final showdown with St Mary’s Langho who also needed penalties to beat Salesbury ‘A ‘ - winning 3-2 on spot kicks after a goalless contest.

Having enjoyed the ecstasy of a spot kick victory, it was agony for St Mary’s in the semi finals after they lost 3-2 in the dreaded shoot-out when their clash with Whalley ended 0-0.

The clash between Waddington and West Bradford against Simonstone was also a really close game, Waddington converting one of the few chances to secure victory.

The losing semi finalists then battled it out in the third and fourth place play-off and, in a more open game, it was St Mary’s who came out on top after winning 2-1.

The fourth and final penalty shoot-out of the day came in the final itself.

Despite both sides creating plenty of chances, neither were able to break the deadlock and the competition finale ended in an entertaining 0-0 stalemate.

So it was down to the dreaded shoot-out once again which Waddington and West Bradford won 3-2 to win gold medals with Whalley as runners-up receiving silver medals.

Gareth Martindale, school games organiser said: “I would like to thank all those who attended as it was one of the most supported events we have had.

“Also I would like to thank Ribblesdale High School who did a great job in hosting the competition and well done to Waddington and West Bradford who won their first football competition.”