Andover F.C’s Portway Stadium was the venue for the first Andover Schools League Finals on Saturday as teams from Portway Junior, Anton Junior, Roman Way and Balksbury Junior School all arrived to do battle for the coveted Champions title. After playing a number of their league fixtures during the season in some very testing weather conditions , everyone involved was delighted to see that the sun was out and the conditions perfect for football!

With Lions in the Community coaches Kyle Swayne and Matt Scott officiating, the semi finals kicked off at 11am sharp with Balksbury Juniors playing Portway Juniors on pitch 1 and Anton Juniors taking on Roman Way on pitch 2.
After two twenty minute halves of excellent football from all four teams Balksbury Juniors and Anton Juniors won through to the final, leaving Portway Juniors and Roman Way to play for third and fourth place.

Following a fifteen minute break for refreshments, a team talk and photoshoots with Andover FC mascot Lenny the Lion, the final and 3rd place play off kicked off at 11am with a growing crowd of parents and families cheering on their players and teams. Andover Sound were also on hand to interview the teams and Managers, whilst John Smith, Chairman of Andover FC was given the unenviable task of picking the final’s Man of the Match.

After a further 40 minutes of highly contested and very enjoyable football, which saw Anton Juniors pull back two goals in a spirited second half display after going 3-0 behind , Balksbury, who were consistent throughout their two games held on to their lead till the final whistle to take the honours and deservedly so!!!
The third and fourth place playoff was an equally exciting affair which ended 2-2 at full time with Portway scoring in extra time to pip Roman Way to third place.

Following a buffet lunch for the players and their Managers in the Portway Suite, the trophy and medal presentation took place on the pitch with Andover F.C’s Graham Cousins officiating. The trophies and medals, sponsored by Simply Health and Lions in the Community, were awarded by Kyle Swayne and John Smith, whose Man of the Match award went to Balksbury’s Jadyn Englefield.

The day was haled a great success and thanks must go to Mike Mullens of Knights Enham Junior School who has coordinated the 2010 Schools League so well and who was a major player in the organisation of the day.