Weydon School’s under-16s have reached the final of the English Schools’ Football Association cup.

In a competition that was entered by more than 600 schools around the country, Weydon are now down to the final two after progressing through nine rounds in the national cup.

Weydon sealed their place in the final with a 3-1 win against Windsor Boys’ School from Slough in the semi-finals.

The result sees Weydon face Samuel Whitbread from the Bedford district in the final, after they recorded a victory against St Cuthbert’s High School in Newcastle.

The final will take place at 11.30am on Friday (May 5) at the Bet365 Stadium – which is the home of Championship outfit Stoke City – and will be streamed live on YouTube.

Semi-finalists in 2022, the Weydon team have gone one step further this year, and coach Adam Allaway is justifiably proud.

“I could not be prouder of these boys for the commitment they have shown towards this football team over the past five years,” he said.

“They have made Weydon history by getting to this cup final, and shown an unbelievable attitude to go one better than last year’s semi-final heartbreak.

“The way the boys conduct themselves at all times is what gives me the most pride.

“They are 17 incredible young men who will go on to do great things on and off the football pitch.

“Let’s have one last push and bring the national cup home.”

This is the first time Weydon School have reached the national final.

The team’s route to the final started with a bye in the first round, before winning 3-0 against Hoe Valley School from Woking in the second round.

In the third round, Weydon won 1-0 against Blessed Hugh Farringdon Catholic School from Reading, before beating the Mountbatten School from Eastleigh and Winchester 2-0 in the fourth round.

Weydon won 5-0 against Springfield School from Portsmouth in the fifth round, before beating Dr Challoner’s Grammar from Chiltern and South Buckinghamshire 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the sixth round.

In the seventh round, Weydon won 5-1 against Onslow St Audrey’s School from mid-Hertfordshire, before beating Beechen Cliff School from Bath 2-1 in the quarter-finals.

Weydon then held their nerve against Windsor Boys’ School from Slough to reach the national final.