Sharpshooting West Coventry Academy pupils show football prowess at national level

Young footballers at West Coventry Academy have netted success across multiple age groups during a superb opening half of term.

Teams from year 7 up to year 11 have flourished at both regional and national level to prove there is no shortage of talent at the Nutbrook Avenue school.

Managed by PE teacher Jack Guest, the sides have shown fierce determination and plenty of skill – sometimes under the watchful eye of Coventry City FC scouts – to ensure their hard work in training has paid off.

The year 7s – playing their first matches together as a team – have marched into the third round of the National Cup thanks to impressive 4-0 and 3-0 victories in the first and second rounds respectively.

The year 8s triumphed 3-2 at Gospel Oak School of Tipton in the second round of the National Cup and will face Arden Academy of Knowle in the third round after half-term.

Not content with this success, the year 8s have also progressed into the first round of the West Midlands Cup after winning 6-0 in their preliminary round tie away from home.

It took all of the year 10s’ tenacity to see off visitors South Bromsgrove High School 4-3 in the English Schools’ Football Association Cup and book their place in the third round.

The team have also been given a bye into the first round of the West Midlands Cup.

Team spirit came to the fore in abundance as the year 11s mounted a terrific comeback from 2-0 down to seal a 5-2 success in the first round of the West Midlands Cup.

The year 9 team were beaten in the first round of both the National and West Midlands Cup.

Mr Guest said: “Every single member of each of the teams has played with tremendous commitment and represented their school superbly.

“Whatever their footballing experience, all of the players have shown a desire to learn and improve their game, which is brilliant.

“It was especially pleasing to see the under sevens enjoy such a successful start to their time playing together.”

Picture: West Coventry Academy’s year 7 footballers have made a successful start to life together as a team.