PLAYERS from Worcester’s Perdiswell Primary School have moved a step closer to being crowned English champions.

The Bilford Road school’s under 11 girls team booked their place in the national finals of the English School’s Football Association seven-a-side tournament by finishing runners-up at the regional competition.

Perdiswell, who were representing Worcestershire in the Nottingham event, scored an own goal in the last minute to lose 1-0 to Warwickshire winners St Paul’s.

It was the first goal they had conceded after winning their semi-final 1-0 and winning two and drawing two of their four group matches.

Perdiswell also secured the county title at Redditch’s Trinity High last month without conceding as they swept all before them by scoring 18 goals.

Teacher Adam Best said: “It’s a brilliant achievement. I think if we play like we did in Nottingham we have got a chance of doing well in the national finals.”