STUDENTS from the football programme at one of the borough's further education colleges helped secure victory in a highly-competitive cup competition this weekend.

Six youngsters who study at or have recently graduated from Redbridge College in Barley Lane, Ilford, were part of the triumphant Winchmore Hill FC squad who won the Amateur Football Alliance (AFA) Senior Cup on Saturday (10 April).

Speaking after the impressive 3-0 victory, Abayomi Seymour, 19, said: “I was so excited about playing in the final I couldn’t sleep the night before.

“I was confident that our team would do well, as we had won eight games in a row in the build-up to this match, and it felt really good when the whistle went and we were three goals up.”

Alongside both team's fans, former student Godfrey Poku also attended the match to support the team. He landed a contract with Luton Town FC after finishing his course at Redbridge College.

Team-mate Courtney Chin, 17, said: “I felt like a champion on the day, I was full of pride for the team. I’m grateful to the college for giving me the opportunity to play men’s football – this has proved to me that I am capable of playing at this level.

“I’d like to continue training and follow in Godfrey’s footsteps.”

Another player Ben Head, 17, added: “I didn’t realise the importance of the match until I saw that there were a few hundred people who had come to watch.

“Playing in men’s football is ten times harder than playing college teams, so being part of the Winchmore team has given me essential experience that will help me become a professional footballer.”