Kenway Cup Final

BRIDPORT PRIMARY SCHOOL 5

MRS ETHELSTON’S PRIMARY SCHOOL 1

BARNEY Sutcliffe’s hat-trick and strikes from Adam Elliott and Ethan Robertson won the Kenway Cup for Bridport Primary School at St Mary’s Field.

After the kick-off at the home of Bridport FC was delayed due to a torrential downpour, the game began in front of a raucous crowd.

In a very evenly-contested opening, where both teams sought to gain the upper hand through quick passing and movement, it was Bridport who took the lead through an Elliott shot that found the far corner.

A sustained period of pressure from Bridport followed and they scored three more goals in quick succession, the first an unstoppable volley from Robertson, the next two courtesy of Sutcliffe.

Mrs Ethelston’s never gave up and always looked dangerous on the counter-attack as half-time arrived.

Despite letting in a fifth early in the second half, a third by Sutcliffe to complete his hat-trick, they scored a superb goal on the break through Marcus Symonds.

They went on to have several other good chances throughout the half but there was only ever going to be one winner.

The final whistle brought to an end an enthralling game of football, played in the right spirit and with a tremendous attit- ude.

The final was well refereed by Bob Hall in potentially his last ever match after many years of service to local football.

Bridport’s victory was the conclusion to another exciting season in the competition in which 17 teams took part from all over West Dorset.

After some hard-fought matches in the group stages and knockout rounds, Bridport reached the final scoring 49 goals along the way, while Mrs Ethelston’s progressed without conceding a single goal.

* The Kenway Cup dates back to the 1950s and is an important competition for primary school children eager for competitive matches.

One of the Bridport Primary players was watched by his father and grandfather, both of whom won the trophy in previous years.