Pupils from a Ribble Valley School have been praised for their ‘amazing’ performances en route to the final of a region-wide football tournament.

St. Joseph's RC Primary School, Hurst Green, were competing in the Lancashire Small Schools Primary Football Finals. It followed their victory in the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley 7-a-side cup.

The finals were held in Thornton-Cleveleys and saw 12 teams including Rossall-Wyre, St James-Skelmersdale, AKS-Fylde, Newburgh-West Lancs and Our Lady-Lancaster complete for the title. The teams were split into two groups and played each other once, with the top four heading into the knockout stages.

Despite only having a squad of seven players St. Joseph's won every one of their group matches to storm through to the knockout stages. Once there, they continued their winning streak, setting up a final with AKS Lytham.

The school was praised for their efforts (Image: St Joseph's) With the score ending all square at 1-1 the final was decided by a golden goal. AKS were the first to score and were crowned champions.

Team coach Mrs A Turner said she was delighted with the efforts the team had put in.

She said: "Despite being one of the smallest schools in the competition, and having one of the youngest participants, the teamwork and determination shown by our athletes, ensured that St Joseph’s made it through to the finals.

“This is a huge achievement, as we were against some of the best schools in Lancashire. Throughout the whole event, I was extremely proud of my team’s sportsmanship and determination to not give up."