Barnet Girls District Under-11s football team won the first London Girls League Final on Saturday with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Brent.

It has not taken long for Barnet girls to achieve success, as the team itself was only established in February of this year.

Interest was exceptional as more than 40 children attended the district trials in Barnet, and the final squad has been training together ever since.

The journey to glory was a tricky one and a rollercoaster campaign left Barnet girls needing a victory by four clear goals to qualify for the grand final.

But the team’s superb spirit and quality showed as Barnet ran out 7-1 victors to earn themselves a place in the grand final at the first time of asking.

The final itself, which took place on Saturday, was a much tighter affair. Brent were the team facing Barnet at The Hive, the home ground of Barnet FC, and they proved tough opposition.

In a nervous first half, Barnet were forced to soak up pressure from Brent and only went into the break level thanks to exceptional displays from defenders Ellie Clark and Sophie Cheeseman, as well as goalkeeper Ebony Ogbodu-Wilson.

The second half brought a change in balance, however, with Barnet starting to create good opportunities to score themselves.

A fizzing cross from Emma Nolan almost fell into the path of Katie Moule-Bettell and moments later, shots from Nicole White and Cheeseman were gratefully held by Brent’s goalkeeper.

Ogbodu-Wilson had to stay alert, though, as on two occasions pinpoint passes sent Brent attackers through on goal and had it not been for Ogbodu-Wilson’s reactions in smothering the ball, Barnet would surely have fallen behind.

But the score remained 0-0 and with just three minutes remaining and extra time beckoning, it was a moment of pure magic which broke the deadlock.

Barnet’s Charlotte Kiely collected the ball outside the box and her powerful strike into the bottom corner gave the Brent keeper no chance.

An organised Barnet saw out the final minutes superbly and when the full time whistle blew they were able to celebrate being crowned London Girls League champions.

Manager Ben Moore was full of praise for his team and said: “It has been an unbelievable first season for the Barnet Girls District Team.

“We [as coaches] are just so lucky to have had the privilege to have worked with such a hugely talented and mature bunch of young people. As well as teammates, they have grown into an extremely close group of true friends. This has been amazing to watch.”