The Friary 3 – Leysland High School Leicester 1

Congratulations to the U13 Girls’ Football Team on beating Leysland School, Leicester in the Midlands Final of the Minute Maid Schools Cup on Wednesday 30th April 2008 at Notts County FC to become Midlands Champions.

The team travelled to Notts County in the morning and were treated to a tour of the grounds and a lunch before the match started at 2.15pm.

A spectators coach with the parents of the players and some Y7 and Y8 girls left the Friary at lunchtime to travel to Nottingham in time to support the team.

The weather and pitch conditions were not ideal with the raining falling quite steadily at the start of the match and the pitch looking worse for wear at the end of the season.

The girls made an excellent start and went on the attack straight away and looked the better of the two teams. Friary made numerous attacking runs which finally resulted in Katie Wilkinson scoring a goal from a long range shot.

The girls continued to play well with some skillful work from Beth Merrick, Tammie O'Sullivan, Josie Balla, McKenzie Fedrick and Katie Wilkinson, with Sarah Nicholas saving dangerous shots on goal.

Another goal from Katie Wilkinson gave Friary a two nil lead at half time.

The girls came out in the second half in high spirit and started well, however Leysland hadn't given up and put pressure on our team and after a lapse of concentration by Friary, Leysland put the ball in the back of the net. The score was now 2-1 to Friary.

The Friary suddenly realised that they were not safe with twenty minutes still to play and picked their game back up and put together some excellent attacking moves, keeping Leysland back in their own half and with a lot of defending to do.

With six minutes to go Katie Wilkinson scored her hat trick putting Friary in to a 3-1 lead. Leysland still fought back but Friary were too strong for them and the match resulted in a 3-1 win for the Friary.