CLOSE to £2,000 has been raised as a thank you to a local football club for warmly welcoming a girl into the fold.

Chloe Hutchinson struggled with confidence issues, but has become a different person since joining Hexham FC.

To say thank you for being so welcoming and friendly since starting out last month, Chloe's parents Martin and Cheryl Hutchinson held a football fun day where she invited girl footballers from Wylam Rockettes and Swalwell Swifts to contest a friendly tournament with Hexham.

In addition to a good turn-out of teenage players, Newcastle United Ladies trio Chelsea Barker, Tiegan Hutchinson and Beth Diamond and first team manager Andrew Innes, the former Stocksfield manager, also turned up to show their support and host skill sessions.

As a result of the fund-raising, which included a raffle, a total of £936.98 was raised, which doubled to £1,873.96 after Barclays Bank matched the amount through its employee match fund-raising scheme.

Meanwhile, Hexham U14 were in excellent form as they returned from Cramlington United with a 6-0 victory.

Josie Cawood maintained her excellent scoring form by hitting the back of the net five times, with Hannah Johnson getting the other. Goalkeeper Nell Forster was named girl of the game for her role in keeping United out.

Wylam Rockettes U18 secured back-to-back wins as girl of the game Sophie Rogers scored all of her side's goals in the 4–3 victory at Walbottle.

It followed their 4-2 win over St Cuthbert's Amazons when Sophie scored two, as did Georgia Briggs. Defender Elley Reeve was star player.

With girl of the game Annie Spragg pulling the strings in the centre of the pitch, Wylam Rockettes U15 were convincing victors over Westgate. Lottie Murphy scored three, Rosie Bell two, and Jaynie Bell, Emma Boaden and Courtney Peel one apiece.

The team had picked up their first point of the season with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle Benfield, girl of the game Lottie Murphy levelling the scores.

Star striker Stacey Billinghurst hit a hat-trick to go with Josie Fenwick's strike as Wylam Rockettes U14 ran out 4–1 winners at home to Heaton Hawks. It was the perfect way to bounce back from the 4-0 defeat to Swalwell Swifts, i which Niamh Telford impressed.

Wylam Rockettes U16 , best served by Charlotte Surridge, were unable to prevent Montagu and North Fenham going top, but a goal from Abby Brown earned them all three points at Heaton Hawks. In-form goalkeeper Izzy Flynn was named girl of the game.

While saving a penalty, girl of the game goalkeeper Molly Pigg couldn't prevent Wylam Rockettes U13 losing to Newcastle Benfield nor New Fordley, in a game in which Elouise Brown had given Wylam the lead.