Lady Bay Primary School enjoyed an outstanding success at the EFL Utilita Kids Cup, held at Staveley Miners Welfare in Chesterfield on Thursday 19th March, hosted by Chesterfield FC Community Trust.
Competing against some of the strongest teams from across the region, Lady Bay (representing Notts County) faced tough opposition including Chesterfield FC, Barrow AFC, Grimsby Town, Crewe Alexandra, Salford City, Harrogate Town, Tranmere Rovers, Oldham Athletic, Shrewsbury Town and Accrington Stanley.
From the outset of the tournament, Lady Bay produced a series of confident and composed performances. They quickly rose to the top of the league table and maintained first place throughout, scoring freely and conceding only a handful of goals across the entire competition.
Representing Notts County in the final, Lady Bay faced Salford City, who had finished close behind them in second place during the league stage. The final proved to be a closely fought and exciting contest, with both teams showing great determination. With the scores level at full time, the match was decided by a penalty shootout.
The Lady Bay players held their nerve under pressure, converting all their penalties. Their goalkeeper played a crucial role, producing several excellent saves to secure victory and crown Lady Bay as regional champions.
As a result of this outstanding achievement, Lady Bay Primary School will now progress to the national final, which will be played at Wembley Stadium on the day of the League Two Play-Off Final on Monday 25th May 2026. The opportunity to play at the national stadium will be a truly unforgettable experience for the pupils, offering them the chance to perform on one of football’s most iconic stages. Competing at Wembley represents a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the team and is a fitting reward for their hard work, commitment and success throughout the competition.
This huge success marks a proud moment for the school and for everyone connected with Notts County Foundation, highlighting the players’ teamwork, resilience and sporting excellence.
