THE South-West final of the Coca-Cola Under-13 Schools Cup meant a dream date for the boys' football team of Wildern School, Southampton.

The match was held at St Mary's stadium, home of Southampton Football Club, Wildern were cheered on by hundreds of supporters - and they even had Saints player Jo Tessom along to support them.

Wildern were met by a tough side from Eggbuckland School from Plymouth, however, and were narrowly beaten 1-0 but it hardly dented their enjoyment.

The team's day began in style when they arrived at St Mary's and were chaperoned through the player's entrance. They changed in the home dressing room used by the likes of James Beattie and Wayne Bridge, then ran down the tunnel to the hallowed turf and played a full competitive match on St Mary's.

After the match the team were presented, FA Cup-Style, with their medals and the runners-up trophy by Tessem and representatives from the ESFA and Coca-Cola.

Ian Rosenberg, Wildern School manager said: "The whole tournament has been a fantastic experience for us and one the boys will never forget. Good luck to Eggbuckland School in the final - and we will definitely be back next year!"

Thirteen year-old Joe Maxwell, Wildern School captain, added: "Playing at St Mary's has been an amazing experience. We are really disappointed that we didn't win but it was a great day. When we first heard about the tournament our aim was to get to Anfield. We didn't make it that far but we made it to a Premiership stadium thanks to all the effort the team and staff put in."

Similar tournaments are being held at Middlesborough FC, Aston Villa FC and Chelsea FC to decide who will play at Liverpool FC's Anfield Stadium on May 17-18.

The Coca-Cola National Under-13 Schools Cup is the biggest schools tournament of its kind for boys and girls teams, Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd (CCE) teaming up with the English Schools Football Association (ESFA) to run the 11-a-side competition. Over 2,000 schools across the country have taken part.