A new girls' football team have surprised even themselves with a truly magnificent debut season.

Hawkwell Athletic under-11s, who play at Hockley Community Centre, won the Essex League by seven points - then beat runners-up Cobra 4-2 in the League Cup final.

Toni Betts, Melanie Kinsalla (two) and Ashley Gooding notched the goals.

Manager Val Chase said: "I'm very proud. I knew we had three or four very talented players, but if someone had told me we would have achieved this in our first year, I wouldn't have believed them."

Val's daughter Joanna, who top-scored with 42 goals, is among a handful of Hawkwell players to have come to the attention of the county's Colchester-based school of excellence.

Now the club have a twin mission for next season - matching their success when they move up to under-12 level, and setting up a new under-11s team.

Val explained: "We have four or five players who are very good but a bit young for the current team.

"But we want them to have a regular game, so we are keen to attract several more young players."

If you are interested in playing for Athletic, who train at Hawkwell's Clements Hall Leisure Centre, ring Val on 01702 203974.

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