September 2017: Footballers net County places

THREE of our talented young have secured places in Lancashire County Girls U14s team.

The 13-year-old trio of Lucy Valentine, Beth MacDonald and Abby Clarke were in the side that beat Archbishop Temple to raise the Under 14s Girls Open Cup last year.

Now they have been selected as one of 16 girls in the team after four gruelling trials.

Beth said: “The first trial was in June and there were 110 girls competing for the places. Then that was down to around 70 in the second trial in July.”

Finally, after four trials, the squad was selected along with four reserves and 11 standby players.

Both Lucy and Aby were selected as standby players last year for the U13s team. Lucy was offered a place in one of the matches for the U14s team but unfortunately she was on holiday.

Lucy and Beth have been selected as strikers and Abby is a forward. Lucy also plays for Bolton, Abby plays for Everton and Beth for Haslingden.