A GIRL of nine from Minehead won the top player award at a national football festival held in Minehead recently, while her fellow footballers made history as the first all-girls team to represent the area.

Leah Haworth, from Minehead First School, joined the Year Five Minehead Middle School team to represent the area at the annual Easter and Spring Football Festival, completed last weekend with over 200 teams competing from around the UK.

Leah, who is in Year Four, won the Golden Player of the Tournament award for her age group when she played in goal for the very first time as part of the Under 10s team.

She was presented with a signed Golden Ball Award afterwards by ex-England internationals John Barnes, Matt Le Tisser and Sue Smith.

“I felt very proud going on to the stage and getting a special moment,” said Leah. “This was my first time playing in goal, I never felt nervous as I was enjoying myself so much trying to keep the goals out for my team.”

Coach Dan Haran was full of praise for Leah and all of the team: “Leah was chosen by the festival organisers, referees and other coaches for her outstanding display as a goalkeeper and her constant smile in goal in every game.

“She played as a goalkeeper for the very first time but her brave actions saw her become a natural in the position and this is truly an amazing achievement.

“Everyone at school is incredibly proud of her effort over the weekend as she represented both Minehead First School and Minehead Middle School in such an amazing way.”

The school was equally proud of the other Year Five Middle School team members - Kianna Corbett, Autumn Spencer, Lilia Guscott, Charlotte Norris, Bonita Waddams, Amelia Marsh, Casey White, Lilly Baker, Alana Ford-Hill and Izabella Antonelli.

“The girls became the first all-girls team to represent the area and they made history in doing so,” said Dan. “They should be very proud of this alone.”

The team played five matches against teams from Devon, Cornwall, London and Wales.

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