FARNHAM Sea Cadets’ junior boys football team became national champions on Sunday, February 25, when they won the final of the Sea Cadets Nationals five-a-side football tournament.

Cadets Matt Bricklebank (captain), James Rumsey, Ben Blandford, Tom Lingard, Theo Douglas, Luke Bricklebank, Tom Malins and their coach Petty Officer Jemma Mugridge travelled to Lincolnshire for the nationals.

Farnham’s junior boys won the match 4-3, after being 3-1 up and conceding two goals, with the game going into extra time.

Luke Bricklebank won the tournament’s best junior male player award, and previously won the male player award in the area tournament on January 27.

The win has been described by parents as a “fantastic achievement by all the team, coaches and supporters”.

Team coach Jemma Mugridge,added: “The junior boys did so well.

“It was a very close game, we were winning 3-1 conceding two goals 3-3 then into extra time we won 4-3, with a last-minute penalty.

“My emotions are all over the place. They were amazing.”

The team’s path to the nationals began after winning the district five-a-side football tournament in December.