KSSP Primary Football League Finals 2022!

The sun was shining on Thursday 19th May as the 10 best primary football teams in Knowsley descended on Halewood Leisure Centre to find out who is the best team in Knowsley!

All teams had qualified as winners or runners in KSSP’s Primary Football Leagues that run from September, with Halewood CE and Plantation from the Halewood League, St Leo’s and Cronton CE from the Prescot League, St Peter and Paul and St Michael and All Angels from the Kirkby League and the top 4, Malvern, St Aidans, St Margaret Marys and St Aloysius, from the Huyton League.

Teams were placed into 2 groups of 5, with each team playing everyone in their group once, before the 5th placed team in each group were eliminated and the remaining 8 teams progressed to the Quarter Finals.

All Leagues and the Finals were very lucky to be sponsored by The ADAM Foundation this year, who generously provided medals for all teams along with trophies for the runners up and winners. The ADAM Foundation was set up following the tragic loss of Adam Ellison to knife crime in 2017. The Foundation aims to raise awareness of the devastating consequences and impact of knife crime by facilitating educational sessions in schools and colleges throughout Merseyside.

Referees were provided by the Steven Gerrard Academy as their brilliant sports leaders took control of all games with professionalism and confidence, acting as excellent role models to the primary pupils.

Following some fantastic games in the group stages, St Michael and All Angles were eliminated on goal difference by just one goal, whilst St Aidans also fell just short in the second group.

4 closely contested quarter finals saw St Peter and Paul defeat St Aloysius, Halewood CE complete a turnaround against Plantation, Cronton CE progress past St Leos and St Margaret Marys win a thriller on penalties against Malvern.

The stage was set for the semi finals as a late goal by St Peter and Paul against St Margaret Marys saw them claim their place in the final, whilst Halewood CE also scored late to narrowly beat Cronton CE and progress to the final.

A thrilling, end to end final saw Halewood CE take an early lead only to be pegged back by St Peter and Paul, as the teams could not be separated thanks to a fantastic performance by both goal keepers. The game seemed certain to be decided on penalties before another late winner in extra time saw St Peter and Paul crowned the KSSP Primary Football League Champions 2022!

A huge thank you from us to all schools and staff involved, the ADAM Foundation and the Steven Gerrard Academy for all their help and hard work on a fantastic day!