THIS Saturday saw the curtain come down on the competitive football schedule for the Harlow primary schools this academic year with the finals morning held at Hare street school. The reimagined tournament for this season saw cup football make a huge comeback in the playgrounds of Harlow’s primary schools, starting with 17 teams back in September of 2024 and following in the footsteps of a rich history of school sport across the town.

The morning began with the showpiece ‘Stacey – Pardoe’ cup final which was to be contested by hot favourites Holy Cross and the hardworking, high quality Freshwaters academy. The pitch at Hare Street was dry and bobbly due to the absence of rainfall in what has been the driest spring in a century but, paying homage to the ultimate football cliche, it would be the same for all of the teams. There were early exchanges by both teams with fluid, passing football proving tricky before a lovely finish by Barry Tanu gave Holy Cross the lead.

The battle continued with neither team exerting dominance but a mistake from Freshwaters led to the talented Parker Loughran-Ricketts extending the lead for the yellow and greens. After half time any hopes that Holy Cross had of an easy victory were dashed after Gabriel Xavier slotted home, 10 minutes from time, to set up a fractious finish.

A huge period of pressure from Freshwaters which saw near misses and the woodwork earning its money, was cancelled out when Hendrix Johnson secured victory for Mr Clarke’s side and slotted home his sides third and the game winner. Elation for Holy Cross, who have been unquestionably the competitions best side, but Mr Newborough’s ‘Blues’ have run them closer than any other side this season and will take that into next years competition.

“The kids loved this despite the result” said Mr Newborough “we ran them closer than anyone else this year and I know that come September we’ll be back”

Victorious coach, Mr Clarke said;

“This was a phenomenal day, the result, the support and the fact that back at school this success has inspired others to want to play – I’m over the moon for the children”

The main course was followed by the comprehensive dessert of the ‘Pat Walker’ trophy which is the  competitions plate final. The Jerounds side overseen by  Canadian Miss Walley and her assistant Mr Ripa started the brighter and applied early pressure.

However, against the run of play, Hare Street forward Theo Blackburn, supplied by the fabulous Authur Clipson forced a cross that was turned into their own net by the unlucky Jerounds player Joe Gregory in a moment that stunned the crowd into silence. Jerounds continued to work hard and Shazain Khan showed his quality in big games by equalising shortly afterwards. Jerounds kept pressure on the plucky Hare Street team, a pressure that was met in equal measure by Hare Street number one George Dowers pushing a shot onto the bar and making another wonderful double save which had shades of Mauel Alminia in the 2013 playoff with Watford. But it was Jerounds that struck next through Harry Wilson with a cool finish. With the game entering its final quarter Theo was involved again after Olivia Osei, who had been in wonderful form all game, glided through to provide Theo with a pass that allowed him to slot the equaliser away. However, it would be Harry Wilson that would have the last word and latching onto a ball that eluded the Hare street centre backs, brilliantly slotted home past Dowers to secure the trophy.

Hare Street manager Mr Dodd reflected;

“We talked about only being beaten if the opposition were better than us and that was the case. I couldn’t have asked more of the children and I know we’ll be back next year”

Miss Walley said;

“I’m from Newfoundland in Canada and these children are so lucky as the Canadian children don’t have anything like this. I’m so proud of these pupils”

The competition organisers would like to thank Mr Ralph from Pemberley Academy who came across to officiate and Mr Crook and his site team at Hare Street for their organisation of the pitch and facilities.

The competition for 25/26 will be drawn in July – the defence of the Stacey Pardoe cup is already on.