A local U16 girls football team is celebrating winning the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) National Cup after a nerve wracking 2-1 win in the final.
Pupils from St. Bede’s Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, beat Fullbrook school from Woking, to bring the cup back to the North East.
The game was played at the Bet365 Stadium, the home of Championship club Stoke City FC, and was befitting of such a magnificent venue.
Having fallen behind in the 10th minute the St Bede’s girls rallied, and goals from Teigan Wilson and Ellen Atkinson either side of half time wrapped up a deserved victory.
At the other end of the pitch the St Bede’s defence and goalkeeper put their bodies on the line to stop Fullbrook equalising late in the game.
Dominant midfielder Daisy Clarke was named ‘Player of the Match’ after a superb display in the middle of the park.
Shortly after the final whistle, Inspirational team captain Eva Mysleyko remarked, “Just look at the scenes, look at the celebrations”.
“We’ve all worked so hard for this, and the girls have all been amazing.”
The team have shown tremendous form during the cup run, scoring a hugely impressive 36 goals in 8 games, whilst only conceding 7.
Reflecting on the occasion Team Manager Michael Eggleston said, “This is the culmination of 5 years of hard work for the girls. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, but from day one I knew this was a special group and their dedication has brought them the ultimate reward in schools football.”
Michael went on to add, “The buzz around the school has been incredible since the game, it’s given everyone a huge boost. Hopefully this can inspire other pupils to go out and achieve their goals, no matter what they may be.”
The squad consists of pupils – Eve Antliff, Ellen Marie Atkinson, Olivia Barkess, Sami Boardman, Victoria Chester, Daisy May Clarke, Neve Clark, Elise Embleton, Amy Howarth, Eva Mysleyko, Molly Smart, Lucy Sproat, Eve Webster and Teigan Wilson.
ENDS
St. Bede’s Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form in Peterlee takes pupils from Year 7 to Year 13.