Weydon School’s under-16s have won the English Schools’ Football Association cup after beating Samuel Whitbread Academy in the final at Stoke City’s Bet365 Stadium.

Weydon got off to the perfect start in the final when Ben Thompson’s shot was parried by the Samuel Whitbread keeper and Joe Fabry decisively followed in to open the scoring.

Samuel Whitbread equalised before half-time and then took the lead with just three minutes of normal time left.

As the board showed five minutes of added time, Weydon captain Tom Prosser’s volley was deflected in to make it 2-2 and take the game to a penalty shoot-out.

George Chandler scored Weydon’s first penalty, before Weydon keeper Ed Jolley saved Samuel Whitbread’s first penalty. Weydon’s Taylor Bridger, Jake Higgins and Henry Smith all scored their penalties. Jack Conroy took the decisive fifth penalty and scored to seal the cup for Weydon.

Weydon principal Jackie Sharman said: “I am so proud of the team – to go to penalties is always a nerve-wracking experience but their training and sheer determination saw it through. To be the national champions is an incredible achievement which they totally deserve.”

Manager Adam Allaway said: “What a fantastic way to finish five years with this amazing squad. The game epitomised what these boys stand for.

“Their never-say-die attitude was shown in the biggest game of their lives so far. The game looked over at 2-1 with only stoppage time remaining but the boys dug deep to find a way through. The nerve they showed to score all five penalties was sensational.”