Liverpool Under-11 schoolgirls have been crowned champions of England.
The girls lifted the ESFA Danone Nations Cup after a thrilling 4-2 victory over Woking at Telford's New Bucks Head stadium.
Cheered on by a noisy band of travelling friends and parents, and supported by social media good luck messages from Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and current Reds skipper Jordan Henderson, the girls bounced back from conceding a first half volley.
A devastating turn, run and left-footed strike from Chelsea Ndrin fired Liverpool level, then the electric Ndrin raced away down the left to cross the ball for Frances Taylor to rap in.
Izzie Breen skilfully converted the third with the outside of her right foot after another Ndrin piledriver had been parried by the Woking goalkeeper, then the irrepressible Ndrin made the destination of the trophy safe with a fourth goal, a right-footed drive across the keeper from long range.
A late Woking second was merely a consolation.
Player of the match, voted for by viewers of the final on the English Schools FA's YouTube channel was, unsurprisingly, Chelsea Ndrin.
Liverpool's U11s first went for trials in September 2020 but due to Covid their first training session didn’t take place until December 10, then was put on hold again until April 2021.
They quickly made up for lost time.
Bootle and District were beaten 6-2, with Chelsea Ndrin scoring five, St Helens were knocked out 5-0 this time with a brace from Maddison Robinson, while Gainsborough gave Liverpool their toughest test keeping thr girls to a narrow, but deserved, 1-0 win.
A withdrawal in the quarters put the girls into the semis and a trip to East Riding. All square full time a four goal burst in 14 inspired extra time minutes put them in the final, Ndxrin celebrating a hat-trick
Liverpool Under-11s are: Gk Ellie Lamb, Kemi Olushonde, Kayla Bloxham, Frances Taylor, Olivia Boner, Izzie Breen, Maddison Robinson, Yasmin Starkey, Chelsea Ndrin, Caitlin Summers
