Herald Juniors Qualify For National Cup Semi Final

Herald juniors travelled south to Devon over the weekend for there national cup quarter final against a Southampton development squad.

They won there tie 9-1 to progress to the semi final.

They could face Rushden and Diamonds or Gloucester, Stourbridge, or there local friends South Cheshire RTC in the next round.

126 teams nationally entered this tournament and for a team from Southport to get this far is a huge achievement.

In there run in they’ve faced Appleton (Warrington), Junior Hoops (Burnley), Bridgewater (Salford), Mickelover (Derby) UFCA (Yorkshire) and Saints Southwest Devon (Devon) all excellent teams.

Over the weekend they faced Plymouth Argyle academy on the Friday night in a warm up game and come out 4-2 winners in a highly competitive game.

The semi final is due to be played on the last Saturday in March which will be mouth watering to say the least.

Saturdays goals in the cup came from

Ivo Melyov x3

Finnan Crofton

Phillip Christian

Elliot Unsworth

Michael Whitty

Ashkan Koohestani

Seb Bailey.

The hard work, passion and commitment that goes into this team is second to none.

Last season we travelled up and down the country competing with teams from all over.

From Liverpool to Birmingham, to Reading and more than holding our own.

Club secretary Ashley Hawkes told OTS News:

Last season was special winning the county cup but to be competing nationally again is even more special.

“The lads are loving every single minute of it and the bond and togetherness they have is what makes it all worth while watching them grow and develop into outstanding players.

I would like to thank all the parents, players new and old who have been apart of this amazing journey.

Joining the best league in the country has made them better players and better kids, learning off other teams, managers and players from all over the country.

This season has seen a lot of our players selected for the JPL Representative team and also a lot of them being selected to play for Manchester City select squad.

The last 18 months has been the best I’ve seen these kids play and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.

If we get a home draw it would be great if people could come and show there support to a gang of local kids competing with some of the biggest teams in the country.