After a very positive response of interest to represent the school for football in the local Eden Valley Sports Partnership tournament, we decided to enter two teams in the girls’ competition.

The first round was a rather wet and windy day in November. After just five minutes at Frenchfield Sports fields, the girls looked like they had been playing all afternoon! Drowned rats came to mind from one of the few photographs we managed to record of the day! However, the weather didn’t stop our very own lionesses. The girls played with true spirt and great teamwork. Our birthday girl Fern did a superb job in goal – well done Fern, I’m sure you’ve never spent your birthday on a muddy football field before!

Both teams won some games, drew some and lost a few. Overall both teams played well with our performance team progressing to the County Finals with other local schools Langwathby and Beaconside at Carlisle.   A huge well done to Team North Lakes Utd Girls football team: Chloe, Lily L, Lilly B, Ruby H, Georgia, Ruby I, Evie C, Lauren and Bella.  And to North Lakers: Anastasija, Fern, Elizabeth, Eva, Alisia, Nahal, Evie B, Alessia and Aleyna.

The Girls’ County Final took place in early December at the Harraby 3G pitches, and we had the luck of the weather on this occasion and so with the sun shining we travelled to Carlisle with Mrs Greenwood, Mrs Evans and Evie’s Mum Fiona. Once again, we worked hard as a team, encouraging each other and holding our heads high when conceding. Our results were as follows: Robert Ferguson v NLS 1:0, NLS v Holy Family 0:2, St James v NLS 1:0, Houghton v NLS 0:2

We had many challenges and a few injuries. We were all delighted when Chloe and Ruby I put us on the scoring sheet! As a result of our performances, we went through to the third-place play offs.  Our final three games saw another two victories for us against Yarlside and Houghton. We were proud of ourselves and the fact that this is the first time a girls’ team from North Lakes School has represented Eden at the County finals.