Dulwich Village Orange U13 girls powered their way to victory in the Silver Cup, beating second-in-the-league Julian’s 1-0 with one of their best performances of the season – a tight, hard-fought and often physical encounter at Brightlands on a sunny Sunday morning.

Every single squad member selflessly played their role in a mature and gutsy performance, made more remarkable by the fact all but three of the squad are U12s playing a year up.

Our back line swept up every through ball, recycling it to the midfield who threw themselves into battle again and again, while our attack probed, harried and pressed, eventually being rewarded before half-time with a pinpoint cross from Kiki slotted home by Sienna.

Julian’s were fast and strong, and always capable of catching us out, but found themselves pressed back further and further, resulting in a well deserved cup victory for DVFC, loudly cheered on by the parent squad in attendance.

A special salute to our outgoing coach and fearless leader Connor Miles, who has coached many of these girls for four years, and whom we sadly lose at the end of this season, but wish well in all the many greater successes that inevitably await him as he continues onwards in his professional career. Thank you, Connor, from all of us. This one’s for you.