PNE came within a whisker of a Wembley final last week, but even though they couldn't go all the way to 'the arch', the children from Broughton-in-Amounderness CE Primary School did the Club proud as our representatives in the Football League Community Cup.

The year five and six youngsters made it through to the northern finals of the competition having won the right to represent Preston North End by coming out on top of the qualifying process that commenced back in February.

They then took on the best of the rest in the northern segment of the Championship, taking to the field against Sheffield Wednesday, Sheffield United, Hull City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Stoke City in the regional group stages played at Barnsley's training ground last Friday.

A record of three wins and a draw from their first four games meant that the Broughton juniors went into the final game against Sheffield United knowing that victory against the group's other elite performers would take them to Wembley for the finals day alongside the winners of the southern heats.

Despite falling behind to a strike midway through the first half against a school representing the Blades with a number of their Academy players in the team, the PNE boys levelled immediately and it was all to play for as they went in level at half-time. However, a winning strike five minutes from time stole it for the Yorkshiremen, and with it the prized trip to London.



PNE community officer Gary Robinson was understandably disappointed that the side missed out after such a valiant effort, but the element from which he took the most pride was the way the youngsters represented their adopted club.

"Broughton-in-Amounderness' performance throughout the competition was excellent, and they scored some great goals along the way," he claimed.

"They played a great standard of football and represented Preston North End really well, playing with a superb team ethic and a willingness to keep the ball on the floor and pass it to feet.

"To get as far as they've done, having beaten 19 other schools to get to this stage, is a credit to the effort they've produced, and those of us that went to support and accompany them in Barnsley were really proud of their achievements."

Mr Nelson, a teacher from the school and manager of the talented team, was also keen to sing the praises of his side. He revealed:

"I'm proud of this team which has come a long way, and has ultimately come to within just one game of playing at Wembley.

"Clearly they only lost out when they come up against a top quality team, and we wish the children representing Sheffield United the very best of luck in their finals appearance.

"The lads did really well, and they've represented their school and Preston North End brilliantly."