GIRLS FOOTBALL: The newly formed girls section of Kirkby Stephen Junior Football Club for girls aged 6-11 years have been training since September. Three female FA qualified coaches, Debbie Barr, Lou Barr and Pauline Tyson, conduct a weekly training session on the astro turf pitch at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School on Thursdays between 6.15-7.15pm.

An under 11 team participated in their first fixtures of the newly -formed Westmorland County FA Girls U11 League at Cartmel Priory School. The first fixture was against Dalton and, after a very nervous start and 0-0 scoreline at half-time, substitute Lucy Branthwaite and Jessica Dillon scored to give Kirkby 1 2-0 victory.

Their second match was against Grange, Kirkby Stephen took an early lead, with an excellent strike by defender Emily Riley Tomlinson. Midfielder Courtney Walton played a early straight ball to unmarked Anthea Bowman in the second half and, with great composure, she turned and slotted the ball in the bottom left hand corner to give Kirkby a second 2-0 victory.

Any girls interested in joining the club are welcome at Thursday seessions and the coaches are looking for any clubs who would be interested in friendly fixtures for U8 girls. Any interested clubs should contact Lou on 07779-109764.