Penalty thriller decides winner

A thrilling penalty shoot-out has handed this year's Trust Thamesmead Matthew Clarke Memorial Shield to Heronsgate Primary School.

The young soccer stars won through the group rounds and the semi-final of the seven-a-side competition to meet Castilion Primary School in the final. At full time it was goalless and parents and carers held their breath as the penalty shoot out began.

Time after time the ball was placed on the spot but the final was eventually decided by a sudden death goal which shot past the Castilion keeper into the back of the net, making the final result 5-4 to Heronsgate.

Windrush School was presented with the annual ‘Having Fun & Fair Play' award.

Around 100 youngsters from nine Thamesmead schools took part in the seven-a-side tournament which was held in Crossway Park, Thamesmead, adjacent to Thamesmead Town Football Club. 

The tournament was hosted by Thamesmead Town Football Club and Charlton and Arsenal also lent their support. Grass Roots Soccer, which works with communities across London and North Kent, held a penalty shoot-out competition and the tournament programme was sponsored by Thamesmead printing company Richard Edward.

The primary schools competing this year were Bexley Business Academy, Bishop John Robinson, Castilion, Heronsgate, Hawksmoor , Parkway, St John Fisher, St Margaret Clitherow and Windrush.