YOUNG footballers at Ovingham Middle School will kick off the new season on the back of a memorable double.

The school won county cup doubles at both U13 and U11 level during the previous campaign

The U13 girls took on Cramlington Learning Village in the Malcolm Berry County Cup final at Chantry Middle School, with all but one of the Ovingham players used to competing at U12 level.

The game kicked off and Ovingham were immediately under pressure, but the defence and goalkeeper held firm.

They grew into the game, and were 2-0 to the good during an entertaining encounter. They also hit the woodwork.

Cramlington had two chances to reduce the deficit, but they were superbly tipped over the crossbar.

Despite their advantage, Ovingham had to adapt to different conditions in the second half, with the sun in their faces.

A fine individual goal made it 2-1, before a rejuvenated Cramlington levelled proceedings.

A rollercoaster of a contest saw the match finish 4-4 after normal time, with Ovingham finally winning 5-4.

The school’s Danny Driver said: “The defence of Katherine, Anna and Millie defended amazingly well with help from goalkeeper, and girl of the game Lois, who was outstanding throughout.

“Rose made it 1-0. Molly got her deserved hat-trick. Lily scored a brilliant goal from 20 yards to give Ovingham a 5-4 lead.

“All of the squad have contributed and played amazing football throughout all of the county cup fixtures.

“We are incredibly proud of them. A thrilling, competitive cup final was played in great spirit.”

Ovingham Middle School’s U11 girls football team competed against St Alban’s RC Primary School in the final of the county cup.

St Alban’s started on the front foot and had Ovingham stuck in their own half for the first five minutes, whilst a couple of long range efforts were comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Grace.

Ovingham gradually improved and began to create goalscoring opportunities, but they could do nothing to stop a fine strike from 20 yards finding the top corner, which gave St Alban’s a 1-0 lead at half time.

Ovingham were a threat in the second half, and equalised with 15 minutes to go, shortly after forcing a superb save from the goalkeeper. They added two more goals to win 3-1.

Danny added: “This was a fantastic, competitive game of football which was a lot closer than the score line suggests. Girl of the game was awarded to Eleanor, for a superb defensive display.

“We found the equalizer when Amy dribbled the ball forward from the half way line and scored a great solo goal.

“The St Alban’s goalkeeper then pulled off another good save to deny Lucy, whilst Evie smashed a volley off the underside of crossbar.

“Lucy delivered an accurate corner straight to Ruby who finished brilliantly into the far corner. It was a fully deserved goal for Ruby who made constant recovery runs to defend the St Alban’s attacks.

“With three minutes to play, St Alban’s shot brilliantly from 20 yards, and goalkeeper Grace pulled off a fantastic save to deny them.

“St Alban’s then had a corner and Ovingham brought every girl back to defend it. Evie cleared the ball and Lucy ran the length of the pitch and fired the ball into the top corner to make it 3-1.”

Ovingham Middle School’s Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 girls football teams are both county champions. Well done girls, this is a fantastic achievement.”

Last year, Ovingham Middle was awarded the platinum award as part of the Government’s School Games Mark programme.