ST Edwards have earned the right to pull on the Blackburn Rovers shirt after winning one of the closest area finals in recent years.

The Darwen school pipped arch rivals St Cuthberts to top spot in a tournament where just three points separated the top four sides.

St Edwards will now represent Blackburn Rovers in the regional finals at Brockhall next month and will compete against teams lining up for Burnley, Liverpool, Everton, Tranmere, Preston, Blackpool, Bury and Chester.

The super Saints rightly earned their place at the top of the table after winning five of their seven league matches -- including a narrow 1-0 win against Darwen rivals St Cuthberts.

St Edwards were held to a draw by third placed Stramongate from Kendall before losing their final match against Blackcombe from Milham, although they had already qualified.

"It was a victory built on our excellent defence," said coach Gerard Keane. "We only conceded one goal throughout the competition and that really was the foundation for our success.

"While our defence and keeper played well it was a true team performance and even all our of goals were shared out." St Edwards biggest win of the day came against St Mary's Oswaldtwistle, running out 3-0 winners. The Saints also beat Staveley 2-0, St Mary's Euxton 1-0 and Simonstone 2-0.

It is the first time they have qualified for the regional finals and Mr Keane said they have a tough task on their hands.

He said: "In the area final we were up against teams who were winners in their own right, having won their respective heats. We've won two competitions to get this far and I know we will be against some tough opposition in the regional final."

The area final brought together teams from Blackburn and Darwen, Hyndburn, Leyland, Ribble Valley , Cumbria and Kendall finals.

The winning St Edwards team included Chris McEwan, Chris Lynch, Anthony Lynch, Dean Beare, Joshua Holden, Joshua Rewaj, Matthew O'Neil and Daniel Wright.