STUDENTS from Haslingden High School enjoyed a three-day footballing school trip to Newcastle.
The footballers, from Years 10 and 9, formed three teams to take on North East opposition Cramlington Juniors.
Ocean Flanagan, 15, said: “It was our first school trip because Covid had prevented the ones we would normally have been on.
“We had a Year 10 boys’ team, a Year 9 and 10 boys’ side and a mixed Year 9 boys with five Year 10 girls.
“The Year 10s drew 3-3 and the other teams lost, but a lot of the students had never played together as a team.”
They also got to watch Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park where they were also treated to a tour of the stadium.
PE teacher Nikki Berko said: “The Newcastle trip was a fantastic experience for staff and students.
“It involved training sessions with Newcastle coaches, games against local teams, a tour of St. James’ Park and of course we watched the 6-1 win by Newcastle over Tottenham.
“Our students represented Haslingden High School brilliantly and we look forward to going again.”
Izzy Dunn, like Ocean, plays for Accrington Stanley as well as the school’s U14 girls team that got through to the quarter-final of the English Schools’ Football Association PlayStation Cup, in March.
This year Ocean was also selected for the England U15 team.
Izzy said: “The Newcastle match was such a good game. They had scored after the first two minutes and were 5-0 up by half-time.”
They both said they had been to quite a few professional matches but none could rival the atmosphere and stadium at St James’ Park.
Ocean is determined to pursue a professional footballing career, but sporty Izzy prefers kickboxing where she is a four times world champion and this year came Second and Third in the World Championships in Ireland.