Last week, we took our Under 12s FA Girls’ Emerging Talent Centre (ETC) group to play against Hyndburn and Ribble Valley District Under 12s girls team in a very competitive and high-quality match, which demonstrated the strength in depth of female football in Lancashire.
Hyndburn and Ribble Valley are the reigning District Champions in Lancashire following a very successful 2024/25 season, boasting girls who play for a wide range of clubs, including Manchester United Academy.
We used the game as an opportunity to challenge some of our Under 11s players, as well as some of the Elite Coaching Pathway girls (a programme which serves as the Shadow Squads to our ETC).
Despite a slow and cagey start in the first third of the game, the ETC girls grew into it, particularly in the second and third. The girls began to demonstrate a much higher and more aggressive press, which meant that Hyndburn struggled to maintain possession. It then gave our ETC girls the chance to control the game and start to create chances in the final third.
Standout performances came from defender Cara, who displayed excellent composure on the ball and maintained possession to start attacks well, and Daisy, who moved into a central striker position and threatened constantly with her speed in behind the Hyndburn defence.
Thank you to Hyndburn and Ribble Valley for the fixture, and good luck for the rest of the season.
