Girls under-14s football team triumph in all-boys grassroots league
A GIRLS under-14s football team have triumphed in an otherwise all-boys grassroots league.
Unbeaten Concord Rangers Yellows have 31 points from 11 games this season.
They finished mid-table in their first campaign — but have been trouncing their male rivals this season with two 13-0s and a 14-2 in their ten league wins.
Boss and dad Sofien Davis is hoping for one more victory in their final game on Saturday to secure their invincible status.
He said: “From the day I took over, I could see the potential.
“They picked things up easily. I was impressed how coachable they were.
“It was scary entering a boys league but was best for their development. I wanted to make the world realise girls can compete with boys.”
Striker Lola Christmas, 12, is top scorer with 35 goals.
Stepdad Tony Bailey, 35, said: “It started with taking her over to the park for a kickaround, and now she’s excelling.
“The girls are now looking to represent Southend at the Aces National Tournament after reaching the semis last year.”
The girls will move from the Southend Junior League to the Essex Girls League next season.
Tony says he and Lola’s mum Jade Yates are immensely proud of all the players. He added: “When I was a youngster playing, you would have been livid losing against a team of girls.
“But now there’s no hard feelings from the boys — they can see that it’s normal.”