FUTURE football stars at St Joseph’s Catholic College are one step closer to realising their sporting dreams after they scooped up the Wiltshire County Cup.

The Year 11 team at the Ocotal Way school have been playing the beautiful game together since they first joined five years ago, and their hard work finally paid off earlier this month when they were crowned county champions after triumphing in a tense game against St John’s, Marlborough at Stanley Park in Chippenham.

Team coach Tom Barkham said: “Within the first 20 minutes we were 2-0 down.

“But then we started to play football, with nice passes along the floor, and balls in behind the defence.

“We managed to get back into it with a goal from Bertram Clement. He put a cross into the box, sending the keeper to ground, and the ball into the net.

“After two more first-half attempts hit the woodwork, we were unlucky to go in 2-1 down at half-time.”

A rousing team talk at half time led to a transformed team in the second half.

“We totally dominated in the second half, with Tommy Ouldridge scoring the equaliser, having beaten three or four defenders from midfield,” added Barkham.

“The winning goal came from Patriech Braganca, although the four minutes of injury time took an age.

“This was a fairytale ending for a team who won the Swindon Schools Cup in Year Seven.

“I’ve been coaching them since they started and it’s been a pleasure to see them progress. They should be very proud of themselves. I definitely am.”