Rotherham schoolboys on the road after making semi-final of national football cup
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The Under 13s - made up of Year 8 students from across Rotherham - were selected to represent their town in a schoolboy team after trials last summer and in their first season together are riding high in the league and down to the last four in the English Schools Inter Association Cup.
After a 4-3 win against Hartlepool in the quarter final, the U13s are due to play Gateshead tomorrow at Newcastle United's academy.
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Hide AdThey secured wins against schoolboy teams from East Riding, Doncaster, Barnsley and Calderdale to reach the quarter final v Hartlepool and make it through to the sixth round.
The winner of tomorrow's game will play either Croydon or Poole and East Dorset in the final.
Manager Mark Hawley, who runs the team with Ian Batten and Gary Yearsley, said: "We are proud of the boys for way they have competed in their first season together and they are all looking forward to the semi-final.
"It is an honour for them to represent their town and whatever the scoreline tomorrow this is a huge achievement for them."
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Hide AdThe team is made up of students from Aston Academy, Brinsworth Academy, Rawmarsh Community School, St Bernards Catholic High School, Thrybergh Academy, Wales High School, Wickersley School and Sports College
Winterhill School.
Rotherham schoolboy football underwent a resurgence last summer, having only had the U15s represented for a number of years, but there are now teams from U10s - U15s.
The U15s are in the running for a cup and league double.
Chris Eccles, Rotherham Schools Select Football Association Secretary, said: "Overall the first full season has been a success with over 100 players involved in six squads.
"The season has gone so much better than could have been expected. It is great to see Rotherham pupils getting the opportunity to compete at this level of football against other Yorkshire and now national districts
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Hide Ad"The level of football is excellent and the opportunity for the players to represent their town is a great honour.
"We are delighted with the performance of all our teams, but are particularly proud of our U13s and U15s."