Medway Schools District FA will take on Knowsley St Helens SFA in the English Schools’ Football Association National Cup Finals at Stoke City’s Bet365 Stadium on Monday

Medway Schools under-13s are playing for a national title at Stoke City’s Bet365 Stadium on Monday - but face a cup final in Kent before that.

The district side will be hoping to claim county honours, before facing a bigger test at the home of The Potters, where they take on Knowsley St Helens SFA in the English Schools’ Football Association National Cup Finals.

A 16-strong Medway squad heads to Stoke on Sunday, ahead of their Bank Holiday Monday final, and Medway District SFA manager Martin Cheeseman says his boys are buzzing for the weekend ahead.

“They can't wait,” said the coach. “We’ve got two finals in four days, and the excitement is absolutely off the scale. Trying to keep them calm is another thing.

“We've never lost a final or a semi-final yet, so they're confident, and I hope they keep it up, but I say to them, we might not have lost one yet, but there is always the first time.”

Before they make the trip north, the Medway boys take on Canterbury St Augustines SFA in a battle between the top two sides in the league.

The teams compete in the final of the Charles Harvey Trophy at Herne Bay’s home ground on Friday night.

Cheeseman has previously led his son’s side to an under-13 national title, in the Plate competition, and four years, on he’s feeling confident of claiming more success.

“We’re in the Champions Cup this time, which is the main one,” said the Medway manager.

“Four years later, here we are, trying to do it with my assistant and his son.

“Our opponents [in the national final] won the Plate competition last year, and they've made the main competition final this year. Funnily enough, they played our semi-final opponents in last year's final, Cheltenham, who we beat 5-2 in the semi-final two weeks ago.

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