Back of the net for Birches Head girls

~ Birches Head Academy wins girls seven-a-side football tournament ~

A team of girls from Stoke-on-Trent high school Birches Head Academy have won an under 16 girls football tournament. The interschool competition, which consisted of three secondary schools, took place at the end of January at Ormiston’s Sir Stanley Matthews Academy. 

The tournament was on the receiving end of pouring rain and freezing winds. Despite this, the Birches Head Academy team got off to a great start beating the host’s line-up two - nil, with goals from Katie Palmer-Bull assisted by Becky Johnson.

The second and final match against Biddulph High School proved a little more difficult for the Birches Head girls, whose team consists of a variety of year groups. But with strong defensive displays from Nicole Harrison, Amber Parry and Emillie Corden, Birches Head Academy came out as one – nil winners and as a result, won the entire tournament.

“Winning the tournament was a brilliant, well deserved achievement for the Birches Head girl’s football team,” commented Tracey Matthias, schools sports coordinator of Birches Head Academy. “Antonia Dean did an excellent job as goalkeeper, giving the girls confidence throughout. Jordan Brocklehurst also did a fantastic job refereeing the competition. He turned up to spectate and then volunteered to help out. The girls worked really hard and were definitely worthy winners.”

“It’s great to see the team’s hard work and practice is paying off,” commented Karen Healey, head teacher of Birches Head Academy. “The tournament had some pretty tough contenders and the weather wasn’t on their side either. The girls accepted the challenge and took the title graciously,” she concluded.

The Under 16 Girls Football Tournament was part of a regular seven-a-side Stoke Schools competition.