DIDCOT Girls’ School are top of the form when it comes to schools’ football after chalking up an unprecedented hat-trick of national titles.

They twice came from behind to lift the English Schools’ FA Girls’ Under 15 Cup with a 3-2 win over Woldgate College (Pocklington, York) in the final at Reading’s Madejski Stadium yesterday.

Didcot, national winners at under 13 and 14 for the last two years, also had the thrill of receiving the trophy from England and Tottenham Hotspur star Andros Townsend.

Team manager Leanne Wal- ker said: “We are absolutely delighted. It was probably the best win out of the three because it was such a tough, tough game.”

Didcot fell behind when goalkeeper Molly Ripley was unable to hold on to a shot, and Ellie Whytock tapped into an empty net.

They equalised in stoppage time at the end of the first half with Mollie Dyer crossing for Freeleigh Parnell to fire home.


But Didcot were behind again before the break when Jess Wills chipped Ripley.

They hit back in the second half, though, with Dyer crossing for Parnell, who won a PS4 as man of the match, to level.

And then Dyer drilled home the winner across the keeper into the far corner.

Walker added: “It was a real test of character, coming from behind twice to bring it back and go on and win it.

“At half-time their heads were down and I said the difference would be the attitude and how they reacted to it, and they went out there and it was a completely different second half.

“We are so proud. Every year we raise the bar of expectations and they meet and and exceed it. It was just an unforgettable experience.”