IT was a historic day for Dunmow Rhodes Youth Football Club as their under-11 girls' team finished runners-up in the Essex County Girls League Cup final.

In only their second season, the team qualified for the finals by winning the northern division of the league for the season. Dunmow had to play three teams in the finals - Leigh, Rayleigh and Colchester - and were beaten to winning the cup by one point after a draw against Colchester in their final game.

They didn’t lose in the finals and beat the overall winners Leigh Ramblers in a very exciting game.

The team and girls' football was started only three years ago by Sarah Smith, who saw the opportunity as she noticed lots of girls standing watching their brothers train but they didn’t want to join in with the boys, so the girls section of the club was started.

Smith said: "The level of interest and ability of girls that come along and play is unbelievable.

"We’ve gone from nothing to one of the best teams in Essex playing some quality football.

"I’m so proud of the team and their achievements in such a short space of time."

If anyone is interested in starting girls' football, free training sessions will start running again for ages five years upwards from September.

More details are available at www.dunmowrhodesfc.co.uk