Lancashire U16s School Girls 3 South Yorkshire U16s 0

LANCASHIRE Schools Girls U16s extended their phenomenal record-breaking grip on the Northern Counties Schools FA Inter Counties trophy with a Battle of the Roses victory over the White Roses of South Yorkshire at Padiham.

Lancashire, who last week suffered a major injury crisis and fell to defeat to rivals Nottinghamshire in the National Cup Quarter final, were in no mood to surrender the title which has found the county to be its permanent home over the past few years.

South Yorkshire though had finished top of the North East group with an impressive semi-final win over Cheshire in their locker and they came out sharply, shooting down the famous Arbories slope.

However, in their first real attack Lancashire produced a moment of real quality when Brenna McPartlan (Blackburn with Darwen) combined with Olivia Wilkes (South Ribble) – daughter of Padiham manager Steve – and she produced a wonderful cross from her left foot onto the head of the smallest player on the pitch Sadie Mitchell (Pendle) and she guided the ball beautifully into the net to give Lancashire the lead.

Lancashire continued to press and play some great football but the end product was all that alluded them while South Yorkshire were confined to some half chances from range on the break which were easily dealt with by Amelia Size (West Lancashire) in goal.

The Red Roses' final ball continued to frustrate, however, five minutes from half time Hannah Walsh (South Ribble) threaded a brilliant 30-yard ball from centre midfield inside the right back to Sadie Mitchell (Pendle) and she finished coolly with the goalkeeper advancing.

The second half saw chances come and go for Lancashire as their wide players continued to cause real problems for South Yorkshire and the centre midfield trio kept switching play and dominating possession, meaning Lancashire were rarely troubled at the back.

It was of no surprise that with around 10 minutes to go Lancashire got a third goal and it was of no surprise that in her last-ever game after four years of sterling commitment to Lancashire that McPartlan dispatched a 25-yarder into the top corner to secure the Northern Counties title for the county and extend their record of consecutive wins into five.

Lancashire would like to place its sincere thanks to the following players that have given tremendous commitment to Lancashire and wish them the very best in their future College education: Brenna Mc Partlan, Jessica Rawstron, Olivia Wilkes, Niamh McGabhann, Annabel Mayson and Hannah Speake.

n Lancashire Northern Counties Inter Counties Champions 2015/16: Amelia Size (West Lancashire), Hannah Speake (Lancaster and Morecambe), Kim Sykes (Burnley), Jessica Rawstron (Pendle), Olivia Powell (West Lancashire), Olivia Wilkes (South Ribble), Kaya Lilly Pottinger (Blackburn with Darwen), Ebony Stinson (Blackburn with Darwen), Brenna McPartlan (Blackburn with Darwen), Hannah Walsh (South Ribble), Ellie Spooner (Blackpool), Sadie Mitchell (Pendle), Eve Clarkson (Blackburn with Darwen) Georgia Walmsley (Hyndburn and Ribble Valley), Niamh McGabhann (West Lancashire), Annabel Mayson (Hyndburn and Ribble Valley)