SCHOOLS SIDES TOP OF CLASS

FOOTBALL: Calderdale Schools football teams are experiencing mixed success this season.

The U13s are enjoying their first taste of district football and are mid-table in the league. They were knocked out in the last

16 of the English Schools Cup by Rotherham having taken a big scalp in the previous round by beating Bolton. The coach Rob Day has a large squad but feels confident that there is a lot of potential for the team to do well over the season.

The U15s have had a mixed season so far enjoying good wins over York and Barnsley, but have also endured a number of close defeats. Coach Adam Powell has had the squad over the last couple of seasons and has been disappointed that he will not be delivering any silverware with this group.

The U14s are proving to be this season’s standout side. They have a 100 per-cent win record in the league and have already reached the final of the Yorkshire Federation Cup having beaten Leeds in the semi-final.

They have inflicted heavy defeats on Harrogate, East Riding and York and they scored nine against Leeds in the league – a unique feat for a Calderdale side. Rohan Vaughan (Brooksbank) scored six.

Experienced coach Dave Nicolls naturally has high expectations for the squad having been runners-up last year. They have a number of academy players in the squad with Barnsley, Sheffield United, Burnley and Leeds United all with representation.

Calderdale football continues to be driven by Paul McDonnell and

Dave Weston, who work alongside all the schools sports departments to try and ensure that all suitable players are considered.