In sub-zero temperatures on Tuesday 29 November, nine girls from Year 7 took part in the annual U12 District 6-a-side Football Tournament, held at Hertswood Academy. Queenswood were drawn in Pool A, which meant they would face teams from Hertswood, Stanborough, Yavneh and Monks Walk.

The first game for the ‘QBallers’, against Yavneh, started well, with Captain Sofia Martin scoring within the first minute of play. As games were only seven minutes one way, they knew they had to get an early lead if possible. The defence of Lola Stubbs, Adeitura Andu and Maia di Desaro made consistent tackles and kept the opposition at bay. A lovely through ball from Sofia was deflected by Tamara Esin and ended up in the net, 2-0 Queenswood.

The second game against Hertswood was extremely tough and despite some good runs by Abigail Crowther and Claudia Spanier up front, and Lilly Gilani in midfield, Queenswood could not score. A wonder hit from a Hertswood player gave them a 1-0 win. Queenswood then faced Monks Walk and again, despite having multiple chances, could not seem to find the back of the net. It wasn’t until Sofia Martin took a free kick on the edge of the area in the last 10 seconds of the match that Queenswood secured the vital win they needed. The last group match was against Stanborough and the QBallers battled until the end to get another 1-0 win.

Queenswood went through as group winners and played the runner up of Group B, which was Yavneh’s second team, in the semi-final. A closely fought match saw no goals in normal play, or after an additional three minutes of extra time. It must be noted that GK Farida Koko-Mohammed saved a penalty in extra time to keep Queenswood in it. After three penalties each it was all tied and it was down to our fourth penalty taker, Tamara Esin, to secure the win. Queenswood would face Onslow in the final.

The game was much of a repeat of the semi-finals with end-to-end action and chances for both teams. Lola, Maia and Adeitura were solid throughout and Sofia ran lengths of the pitch for the team. Again no score after extra time saw the game go to penalties and following another tie after three pens (Sofia and Abigail both scored), and Tamara scoring our fourth, it was down to Farida saving their fourth for us to be crowned district champions!

The girls will now represent Hertfordshire at the Regionals in the next round.

• The team
• Sofia Martin (c)
• Farida Koko-Mohammed (GK)
• Claudia Spanier
• Adeitura Andu
• Abigail Crowther
• Maia Di Gesaro
• Tamara
  Esin
• Lola Stubbs
• Lilly Gilani