Football Academy add to college’s trophy haul

Jill Scott Academy players celebrate their win together

Hopwood Hall College’s Jill Scott Football Academy added to the College’s 2017/18 football silverware by winning the Girls North West Tournament.

The academy, part of England midfielder Jill Scott’s soccer franchise, took on five-a-side youth teams from Myerscough College, Lancaster & Morecambe College, Bury Football Club Girls and Preston North End Ladies.

With interest in women’s football increasing rapidly, Preston North End hosted the tournament as a friendly event aimed at promoting and developing girl’s football.

The Jill Scott team started the tournament on the receiving end of a heavy 6-0 defeat from Myerscough College. But a wakeup call from manager, Rob Johnson, and a few adjustments to their tactics saw the squad grow into the tournament.

Two wins followed, before their second game against Myerscough. This time, the girls took on information from their coach and rallied together, edging a superb Myerscough side 1-0.

After all the teams had played each other twice, the final was another showdown between Hopwood Hall College and Myserscough. Once again, six goals were scored in the fixture, except this time, it was Hopwood Hall that came out on top.

Learning from the day and adapting their play, the team ran out 4-2 winners to top off a brilliant day and claim their first piece of silverware in their maiden season.

Coach Rob Johnson was full of praise at the final time whistle, he said: “Our girls were fantastic, to bounce back from such a heavy defeat and then work and play together so well as a team was a joy to see. Their heads could have gone down after that first game, but they showed the exact reaction winners give and banded together for the betterment of the team.

“We’ve had a fantastic season in our men’s academy, I’m happy to see the Jill Scott Football Academy players make their own space in the college’s trophy cabinet in their debut season. Hopefully their success will encourage more female players to join our cup winning team next season.”