GIRLS from Shenfield High School have qualified for the national finals of a football tournament.
The under-12s side were already Brentwood District and Mid-Essex five a-side Football Champions, before they went to the London Soccer Dome on Friday to represent Mid-Essex in the South East England Regional Round of the ESFA Indoor five a-side football.
Six teams from the South East of England were at the tournament having also become winners of their district tournament.
Shenfield had to play all teams in a round robin tournament, winning four games and drawing one.
Winning the group convincingly the girls then faced Winston Churchill School from Surrey in the final, the team they drew to in the group stage.
Nerves were running high in both teams, with the pressure of a place in the national finals at stake, Shenfield took an early lead through a great strike by Sophie Nyiro, before Chloe Eastwell came off injured, Winston Churchill took advantage of this and the girls lack in concentration by equalising.
Not used to conceding goals, Shenfield responded well and they attacked Winston Churchill's goal with the desire of winners, eventually their efforts paid off with goals from Shannan Drewe and a second from Sophie Nyiro.
Excellent skill, teamwork and determination saw the young girls come through as tournament winners and they will now go to the National Finals in Derby on Saturday, March 2.
The 8 year 7 girls that represented Shenfield also help to make up the under 13s team that are having great success by reaching the last eight teams in the National Cup and the semi-finals of the Essex Cup.
Teacher Miss Smith said: "The success the girls are having is a testament to their hard work, dedication and love of football. They are a pleasure to teach and coach and are great ambassadors of Shenfield High School."
