ULVERSTON Victoria High School scooped the Under-13s Cumbria County Cup for the first time in the school’s history.

UVHS defeated St Benedict’s, Whitehaven, 4-1 to become the first girls team of any age from the school to win a country trophy since the under-16s triumphed in 1996.

The final started badly for Ulverston, as they inexplicably went a goal down from sloppy play early on. However, the goal and the realisation they were in a real battle against a quality team galvanised the girls and they responded accordingly.

The success throughout the season has been down not only to potent goal-scorers Molly Wilcock and Alicia Trewin, but also to goalkeeper Elle Graham and her defensive line.

Graham is agile, athletic and brave in one-on-one situations and, on the rare occasions the opposition did break through the defence, they were unable to get past her.

Molly Battersby, Abbie Kirkbride, Antonia Sharp and Tori Donnelly time and time again thwarted attacks from the strong and fast Benedict’s attackers.

When Heather Murray came on in defence to allow Kirkbride to play a defensive midfield role – where she was alongside Maya Coverly and Blossom Howell – she deputised magnificently.

This was Murray’s first match, but her commitment in training and obvious speed and stamina won her a place in the squad, and she did not let anyone down.

Coverly – only recently returned following an appendix operation – and Howell are both intelligent and experienced players, and when one drove forward to set up an attack, the other covered to ensure no gaps were left. Howell broke down attacks and set fast wingers Islay Reddy and Abbie Belcher free. Both are nippy and intelligent players, and their constant movement set up opportunities for themselves or Wilcock and Trewin up front.

Hannah Mawson and Indya Sharp came on up front, with Didi Stoller replacing Coverly in midfield and helping control the game.

Goals from Reddy, Trewin and two from Wilcock ensured Ulverston took the trophy with their best display of the competition.

The road to the final started in October with victory against Walney School. A win against Dowdales saw UVHS reach the quarter-finals, against a strong and physical team from St Bernard’s, Barrow.

The game went to extra-time, when finally Ulverston penetrated the St Bernard’s defence with two goals.

Ullswater Community College stood in UVHS’s way in a Penrith semi-final.

Despite injuries to key players, the South Cumbrian side still felt confident and ran out as 8-1 victors.

UVHS PE teacher Siona Hartley said: “Girls football at UVHS has gone from strength to strength, with large numbers attending lunch-time training and after-school training.

“It’s this interest and commitment from the girls and, of course, influence from local clubs in the area providing a pathway for girls and women’s football, that has allowed the standard to improve year on year.

“The girls will continue to play football twice a week. We have players from all age groups and new players of varying experience are coming along to play all of the time. The girls have trained in the rain, wind, mud and on one occasion sleet and hailstones. It is their commitment and the depth of talent at UVHS that has contributed to this victory.”