Lydd Grasshoppers under-13 girls’ team win seven-a-side tournament at Charlton Athletic’s Valley Stadium

An under-13 girls’ football team have been celebrating after they won a tournament at League 1 Charlton Athletic’s ground.

Lydd Grasshoppers - led by head coach Steve Smith and assistant coaches Danielle Lock and Stewart Turley - have also had support from Shane Maxey of Flow in Football in New Romney.

They immediately found themselves at a disadvantage at the start of the seven-a-side competition, with the regular goalkeeper injured and no back-up keeper in the squad.

The Valley was busy for this month’s tournament and Lydd Grasshoppers’ team were nervous - but that didn’t show in their play, despite hot conditions.

The defence stood strong as Rosie Abnett and Leila Todd battled hard while Madison Smith and Lisa Hilding dominated in midfield.

Evalyn Kim Jene-Waterton, Eleanor Webb, Ruby-May Sanders and Bella Stevenson-Ball got among the goals for Lydd.

There were three brilliant assists for Hilding, too.

Club coach Lock said: “It was an amazing day, with lots of support from the parents in the stands - a day our girls will never forget.”

Squad: Ines Brancus, Millie Turley, Madison Smith, Rosie Abnett, Katie Day, Lisa Hilding, Bella Stevenson-Ball, Ruby-May Sanders, Leila Todd, Jess Cole, Eleanor Webb, Evalyn Kim Jene-Waterton.