RIDDLESDOWN Collegiate's Year 7 football team have reached the National Cup semi-finals after beating Plymouth-based Ivybridge Community College at home.
Miquel Scarlett was the hero after a fantastic hat-trick, but his first goal with 20 minutes to go was cancelled out in the second minute of stoppage time and the game went to extra-time.
But despite the comeback, Scarlett sealed a 3-1 win after two counter-attacks to put them through to face Emerson Park School, from Havering.
The team have played 20 fixtures this season, winning 19 and losing one, and are now only one game away from a place in the national final.
The whole squad have been an absolute credit to the school and have showed great enthusiasm all season
Team manager Andy Vass said: "I can't believe how quickly the boys gelled as a team and the key factor to their success has been their determination."
This is the first time a Riddlesdown team has gone so far in an 11-a-side tournament and the Collegiate are very proud of their achievement.
The school's football teams have gone from strength to strength over the past few years, with success at both district and county level, but a place in the national final would take it to the next level.
The game against Emerson Park will be played at Riddlesdown Collegiate tomorrow (March 27).
