Early Mayor’s Cup rounds produce goals at Hurlingham Park

The early rounds of the Mayor's Cup – the biggest primary schools' football tournament in London – have delivered encouraging early wins for Langford girls and All Saints boys.

Played in sunshine in Ravenscourt Park and Hurlingham Park last week, the tournament has reverted to its tried-and-tested north and south format, with the leading teams in each set to meet in the finals next year.

View images from the day

In the girls' early round matches at Hurlingham, All Saints beat St Paul's 2-0, while Sulivan were beaten 3-0 by Langford.

Last season, St Peter's primary of Hammersmith won the girls' trophy, thanks in large part to the scoring talents of their centre forward Eliza Groves.

The team St Peter's beat in the final (staged at the Shooting Starz all-weather pitches in Acton) were Larmenier & Sacred Heart, who got off to a winning start this week with a 2-0 victory over Holy Cross.

Last season West London Free School won the boys' tournament, coming top out of 28 competing schools and defeating Good Shepherd on penalties in the final.

Tournament kicks off

In early matches at Hurlingham, Holy Cross boys played a goalless draw with Larmenier & Sacred Heart, All Saints beat St Paul's 3-0, and Sulivan and Langford drew 1-1.

"The top two teams in each league – north and south, boys and girls – will play each other, culminating in next July's grand final to decide the boys and girls champions of 2024-25," said Calum Fairley, H&F school sports and games organiser.

Schools in the north of H&F borough competing in this season's tournament are:

The south-of-the-borough schools taking part are:

It is the 42nd year that the Mayor's Cup has been staged. It is the most established competition of its kind in London, originally devised to encourage wider participation in sport.