ST BEDE’S High School girls can rightly lay claim to being one of the best young teams in the country after winning a third successive national title - and a fourth in five years.

The talented team, made up of Year 11 and Year 10 pupils, beat Kings’ School from Winchester in the ESFA Premier League Under 16s Girls Cup final following a dramatic penalty shoot-out at the Manchester City Academy Stadium.

And the super Saints followed up their national glory by winning the Lancashire Cup after beating Blackburn rivals St Wilfrid’s to cap a memorable season.

While St Bede’s swept all before them last year - beating Stafford School 7-2 in the final at Birmingham City - they were made to work for their success this time around.

But in many ways, it made the victory all the more sweeter.

“You can’t rank which of the wins is the best because every time you win a national title it is a very special moment,” said delighted coach John Turner. “But there were no easy games in this year’s competition and the girls really had to battle to win.

“Having been so successful in recent years means the team is well known and everyone knows what the school is capable of. So to go out and be so successful and so consistent year after year is very special and the girls should all be very proud of themselves.”

He added: “It hasn’t been the same group of girls that has been involved in all three wins as the team is made up of two age groups but, collectively, to win three national titles in succession is a pretty impressive record.”

But that third win on the spin looked to be slipping away after St Bede’s managed to throw away a 3-0 lead to trail 4-3 going in to the last minute - only for Kaya-Lily Pottinger to grab a last-gasp equaliser direct from a corner.

Earlier, St Bede’s appeared to be cruising to victory as Leah Rhodes fired them ahead with fine strike from the edge of the area before Pottinger made it 2-0 after being put through by Brenna McPartlan.

Captain McPartlan then scored from a free kick to make it 3-0 and that lead could have been extended further before the break. Kate Wiseman pulled one back early in the second half and the Saints were stunned when Stella Gandee Morgan grabbed a hat-trick to give Kings a 4-3 lead.

But there was to be another twist as Pottinger scored direct from a corner and the match went straight to penalties.

Ellie Brindle, Pottinger, McPartlan and Ebony Stinson all converted from the spot and after Kings’ fourth kick hit the bar, it was left to Devon Hesketh to calmly step up and send the keeper the wrong way to seal victory.

In the county cup final held at AFC Darwen’s Anchor Ground, St Bede’s again showed their ability to fight back.

After Leah Rhodes fired them ahead, St Wilfrid’s scored twice on the break to lead. Rhodes grabbed her second with 10 minutes remaining then completed her hat-trick when she netted the winner with the last kick of the game.

n St Bede's Brenna McPartlan, Ebony Stinson, Ellie Brindle, Ocean Melling, Erin Deakin, Kaya Lilley-Pottinger, Devon Hesketh, Geni Taylor (GK), Rose Abbott, Megan Horricks, Cristy Yates, Leah Taylor, Leah Rhodes,Maddie Elliot.