AFC Wimbledon and Cleves School have been crowned EFL Kids Cup champions for League One, beating Oldham Athletic’s South Failsworth Primary at Wembley Stadium.
AFC Wimbledon raced into an early lead when Oliver Swetman redirected a low drive, finding the net with the Oldham goalkeeper wrong-footed by the deflection.
The Latics pushed for an equaliser but found themselves two down when a devastating counter attack was finished off by Joshua Lewis, and Sami Holmes finished equally emphatically when making it three before the break.
Oldham never gave up, holding firm as the kids of Cleves School pushed for a fourth, but it was AFC Wimbledon’s day, clinching the Cup with a 3-0 win.
"We had a gameplan, which was executed perfectly, but most importantly they enjoyed their football and you can see that in how they played," said Cleves School teacher Mr Smith.
"We've been very lucky and this is our second time at Wembley, so it creates an ethos around the school. The other schoolchildren see these boys playing at this level and want to be part of it.
"The competition format is fabulous and the EFL have been great from the word go, as have AFC Wimbledon who have supported us all the way. It's an excellent competition and to finish it off at Wembley is amazing."
Lewis, who scored the second for AFC Wimbledon, added: "It's amazing. Wembley is one of the greatest stadiums in the world and it's a dream to score there with so many people watching me."
AFC Wimbledon (Cleves School): 11. Edward Roberts ©, 1. Samuel Honour (GK), 3. Ben Vigrass, 6. Frank Vigrass, 7. Joshua Lewis, 8. Oliver Swetman, 10. Sami Holmes, 17. Charlie Davidson.
Oldham Athletic (South Failsworth Primary): 10. Evan Lloyd ©, 1. Zack Tobin (GK), 4. Ted Dockray, 5. Xander Taylor, 7. Stephen Maylett, 8. Kieran O’Hanlon, 9. Amalee Mason, 15. Jayden Brooks.
About the EFL Kids Cup
Nearly 15,000 youngsters and over 1,800 schools have taken part in six-a-side tournaments organised on behalf of the EFL and EFL Trust, with the 72 EFL clubs firstly split into three divisions, in line with the club’s divisional status, before being again split into two groups, north and south.
The six winners of the northern and southern finals in each respective division are then given the opportunity to be crowned Kids Cup champions at Wembley before their represented division’s Play-Off Final.