A GIRLS’ football team enjoyed an unforgettable weekend at Wembley Stadium – despite losing a dramatic cup final on penalties.

Whitby High School faced All Hallows Catholic School of Surrey on Sunday in the final of the npower Football League Girls Cup, a national six-a-side tournament for schoolgirls aged 13 and under.

After drawing 1-1 in normal time, the Ellesmere Port side lost the resulting shootout 3-2 – but the defeat failed to take the gloss off their appearance on Wembley’s hallowed turf.

Team coach Sam Austin, of the Whitby High PE department, said: “Obviously, they were upset immediately after the game, but they quickly realised how far they’d come and what a brilliant experience they’d had.

“It was an experience they’ll never forget – something they will probably only do once in a lifetime.”

The Whitby girls started off on the road to Wembley last year when they won a local competition staged by Tranmere Rovers, giving them the right to represent the Wirral club in this season’s Football League Girls Cup.

They then had to progress through area and regional finals to secure their dream date at Wembley.

The team, captained by Natasha Gregory, spent Saturday and Sunday in London. They had a full tour of the stadium on Sunday – including a look around the changing rooms, Press facilities and a walk up the steps to the Royal Box – before facing All Hallows School in the North v South final.

The Surrey side, representing Aldershot Town, went 1-0 up but Whitby equalised through Eden Richardson.

Neither team could find a winner so penalties were required and All Hallows triumphed 3-2 to take the trophy.

By this time, Wembley was filling up with fans of Chesterfield and Swindon Town for the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy – and the Whitby girls stayed on to watch the Spireites chalk up a 2-0 win over Paulo Di Canio’s team.

The girls were cheered on during their match by a 60-strong group of supporters, including teachers and proud parents.

They were led out of the players’ tunnel by coach Austin, a Blackburn Rovers fan who was making his first ever visit to Wembley.

The Whitby High squad comprised: Harriet Shaw, Emma Davies, Bethany Brizell, Tanisha Adolph, Eden Richardson, Libby Marsh and Paige Cole.

In total, more than 5,100 girls have taken part in this season’s npower Football League Girls Cup.