St Mary Magdalene were crowned Islington Primary Schools’ Cup champions after winning all of their matches without conceding a goal.
The finals of the competition, organised by Islington Football Development Partnership’s GLL, Islington Council and Arsenal In The Community, along with the health and wellbeing team, were held at Market Road last Friday.
Eight teams had qualified from earlier events and played in two groups of four, with the top two going into the semi-finals.
In Group X, St Mary Magdelene would win every game to secure top spot but Montem only edged out St Mary’s on goal difference, scoring eight with no reply in the final group game.
But at 6-0, Robert Blair nearly scored on the counter-attack which could have put a different complexion on the game and group.
In Group Y, every game was a tight affair exemplified in the fact that three teams tied for top spot, before St Joan of Arc and Drayton edged out Thornhill for their semi-final places.
In the first semi-final, St Mary Magdelene beat Drayton Park by a single goal, while Montem played an astute tactical game to beat St Joan of Arc by the same margin, having lost 3-1 earlier in the week in the group phase.
St Mary Magdelene showed their quality in the final to run out 4-0 winners, deservedly claiming the trophy.
A total of 28 schools took part in the competition, with a total attendance of 400, and Gillespie collected the fair play award.
“The quality of football played throughout the finals was of a really high standard,” said Michael MacNeill, football development manager.
“There were some great moments of skill throughout the week including two goals scored with bicycle kicks.”
Results, Group X: Montem 1 St Marys 1; St Mary Magdelene 4 Robert Blair 0; St Mary Magdelene 2 Montem 0; Robert Blair 0 St Marys 6; St Mary Magdelene 1 St Marys 0; Robert Blair 0 Montem 8.
Group Y: Thornhill 1 Grafton 0; St Joan of Arc 3 Drayton Park 1; Thornhill 2 St Joan of Arc 0; Grafton 0 Drayton Park 2; Thornhill 0 Drayton Park 2; Grafton 0 St Joan of Arc 6.
Semi-finals: St Mary Magdelene 1 Drayton Park 0; St Joan of Arc 0 Montem 1.
Final: St Mary Magdelene 4 Montem 0.
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