STRETFORD Grammar School agonisingly missed out on national schools’ football cup success.

The school’s U-14 football team was edged out 5-4 on penalties by Shenfield High School in the final of ESFA Under 14 PlayStation Small Schools’ Trophy.

It went to penalties after the teams were deadlocked at 0-0 at the end of two 35 minute halves.

The final was staged at Reading FC’s Madejski Stadium, and it was an end-to-end affair between the teams.

England international Danny Rose presented the players with their runners-up medals and offered his words of commiseration.

Despite the defeat, the team had a day to remember as they not only had the opportunity to play on the pitch at a professional stadium, but also have their pre-match team talk in the dressing room.

The final was part of the PlayStation Schools’ Cup Festival, with 15 national football finals from U12-U15 secondary school age groups, featuring both boys’ and girls’ teams, held across three days.