Lancashire U16s Girls 7 Northumberland U16s 2

LANCASHIRE U16s Schoolgirls have reached the Northern Counties FA final with a victory inspired by their East Lancashire contingent.

The county girls made it a magnificent seven to see off Northumberland with four of the goals scored by local girls.

Despite freezing conditions, the tie was played on a perfect pitch at Padiham FC’s Arbories ground thanks to the hard-work of club secretary Alan Smith.

So it was fitting that Olivia Wilkes - the daughter of Padiham manager Steve Wilkes - was among the scorers.

Alice Adams gave Lancashire the lead with a fine first time finish from a great cross from full-back Erin Staunton-Turner before winger Wilkes was on the scoresheet two minutes.

St Bede’s pupil, Brenna McPartlan, made it 3-0 with a stunning long range effort.

Northumberland pulled a goal back just passed the half hour mark but Rebecca Smith restored Lancashire’s three-goal cushion before half-time.

A Stephanie Smith goal gave the visitors a lifeline but, the tie was killed off when Blackburn with Darwen player Katie Samuels scored with a fine header from a perfect corner from Wilkes.

Lancashire completed their impressive victory with two tremendous 30 yard strikes, the first from the right wing by Ali Johnson from Blackburn with Darwen before captain Natasha Fenton fired in to the top corner from range.

Lancashire will now play Cheshire in the Northern Counties final with both teams representing the Northern Counties’ FA in the ESFA Inter County Trophy.

Lancashire U16s Schoolgirls: Katie Maher (Hyndburn And Ribble Valley), Erin Staunton-Turner West Lancashire),Ellie Hilton (Chorley), Megan Hester (Blackburn With Darwen), Katie Samuels (Blackburn With Darwen), Olivia Wilson (Blackburn With Darwen), Natasha Fenton (Blackpool, Captain), Brenna Mcpartlan (Blackburn With Darwen), Alice Adams (West Lancashire), Ali Johnson (Blackburn With Darwen), Olivia Wilkes (South Ribble), Karis Harrison (Blackpool), Justine Elliott (Gk) (Chorley), Olvia Rees (Chorley), Rebecca Smith (Preston), Annabel Mayson (Hyndburn And Ribble Valley).