EFL Kids Cup 24/25 Reports (Pictures below)

On Monday afternoon, 10 children represented Park Hall Junior Academy in the Kids Cup football tournament at The Poundland Bescot Stadium. The team, made up of Y5 and Y6 children, were in a league of 5 schools, where only the winning team would progress to the Final for the day (Quarter Final for the overall Walsall competition).

The team got off to a good start in the first match against Barcroft, passing the ball around nicely and trying to get opportunities to score. Ria, Meghan and Aaron all looked composed at the back as Flynn and Zayaan were busily trying to get chances to Ayaan up front. It was a tight affair with Harley making some good saves and Flynn, Zayaan and Luke-Veer all going close for Park Hall however, the game ended in disappointment as Barcroft nicked a late winner. 

The second game gave the chance for Park Hall to build confidence and they ended up comfortable 6-0 winners when really it could have been double figures. Flynn and Zayaan led the way with some really well taken goals early on and then a number of others (Ria, Aaron, Haris and Jovan) had plenty of shots on goal but just couldn’t quite get any more goals. Sustained pressure led to Flynn and Zayaan managing to get another one each before Luke-Veer got himself a well-deserved goal too. A really good team performance was wrapped up as Flynn completed his hat-trick.

Park Hall took this confidence into the third game against Croft Academy. It was another tight game and a change in formation, meant more options going forward. Park Hall had the better chances and Haris, in goal, didn’t have much to do. Ria and Aaron in defence were able to get up and help push for a goal but despite some good chances for Luke-Veer, Jovan, Flynn and Zayaan, it just wouldn’t go in. Substitutes Ayaan and Harley came on to try and change things and just as it looked like it might end 0-0, which would have all but ended any hopes of winning the group, Zayaan popped up with a vital winner.

Park Hall went into the last game knowing that a win would give them a chance of winning the group if Barcroft lost any more points, having drawn their first game against our final opponents, Pelsall Village. Again, it was a close encounter but Park Hall had the better chances. Unfortunately, they were not able to add any finishing touches to good attacking play. Eventually their perseverance paid off and Jovan broke the deadlock with his first goal of the tournament. This was shortly followed by the best move of the afternoon by Park Hall – Ria, Zayaan and Flynn worked well together in midfield to win the ball and move up the pitch before Flynn fed a glorious through ball to Luke who calmly slotted it home to give Park Hall a 2 goal lead. It was a good job the second goal arrived because Pelsall Village got one back shortly after and then searched for an equaliser but the midfield of Aaron, Flynn and Zayaan stayed deep to support Ria and Meghan protect Haris’s goal and the whole team were relieved when the final whistle blew and signalled a 2-1 win.

The team quickly made their way to the other pitch to check on the progress of Barcroft, who were still playing, and to their delight found out that they had been held to a second draw by Croft Academy, meaning Park Hall ended up group winners with 9 points over Barcroft’s 8 points.

A short wait while the other group finished and a chance to watch our Final opponents - Manor. They looked big and strong but Park Hall weren’t deterred and continued playing some lovely, passing football with Ria, Meghan, Jovan, Aaron, Flynn and Zayaan all displaying some great touches. Luke-Veer was busy up front and for the first 5 minutes, Park Hall were the better team and could have taken the lead. However, Manor’s strength and quality ended up shining through and 2 really good goals meant they won the game 2-0. It could have been a few more but for some stunning saves from Harley and some tenacious defending by Ria; their star player, the number 12, was really up against it for the majority of the match as Ria gave him hardly any chances.

Park Hall had done tremendously to get to the final and went so close to winning and progressing to the semi-finals but it wasn’t quite to be. All 10 of the squad can hold their heads high – they did Park Hall proud – well done all of you!

Park Hall Junior Academy Team –

Y5 - Luke-Veer S, Aaron L, Harley W, Jovan C

Y6 - Flynn H, Zayaan A, Ayaan A, Haris H, Meghan G, Ria L

Game 1 - Barcroft (0-1 defeat) Scorer(s) – n/a

Game 2 - Butts (6-0 win) Scorer(s) – Flynn x3, Zayaan x2, Luke

Game 3 – Croft Academy (1-0 win) Scorer(s) – Zayaan

Game 4 – Pelsall Village (2-1 win) Scorer(s) – Jovan, Luke

Quarter Final - Manor (0-2 defeat) Scorer(s) – n/a

League winners with 3 wins and 1 defeat!

EFL Kids Cup 2024

On Monday afternoon, 9 children braved the elements to represent Park Hall Junior Academy in the Kids Cup football tournament at The Poundland Bescot Stadium. Looking very smart in their brand new kit, the team were in a group of 6 schools, where only the winning team would progress to a Quarter Final match.

After a nervy start, they went 1 down to a long shot from Whitehall but soon found their feet and recovered to win 6-2 with 4 different goalscorers. A tight second game followed against St Giles, which they managed to win 2-1, before a game against the team that proved to be the best of the group by some distance - St Michael's. The children came up with a good game plan to try to make it difficult for them but despite a fully committed display, they ended up losing 2-0. They bounced back with two 3-0 wins against Caldmore and Old Park to end up coming second in the group.

The children showed some great skill on the day, both in attack and defence, with some amazing goals scored and some terrific saves made by the keeper. All of the children should be proud of their performance - well done boys!

Park Hall Junior Academy Team - Jeevan S, Sartaj C, Shaylan P, Bachittar B, Jayden M, Nihal G, Flynn H, Zayaan A and Angath S

Game 1 - Whitehall (6-2 win) Scorers - Nihal 2, Jayden 2, Zayaan, Flynn

Game 2 - St Giles (2-1 win) Scorers - Angath, o.g.

Game 3 - St Michael's (2-0 defeat)

Game 4 - Caldmore (3-0 win) Scorers - Nihal 2, Jayden

Game 5 - Old Park (3-0 win) Scorers - Nihal 2, Angath

2nd place with 4 wins and 1 defeat!