BRAINTREE Town under-13 girls are celebrating after being crowned as champions in division two of the Essex County Girls League.

The championship was secured following a hard fought and tense 2-1 home win against Rayleigh.

The Braintree Girls found themselves trailing 1-0 at half-time but following a delayed half-time break due to a hailstorm, they battled back with a Lily Tilyard brace to secure a deserved win.

During the course of the season, the girls have played 18 league games, winning 17 and losing just one, scoring 93 goals in the process.

Manager Brett Oxford said: “This is absolutely fantastic - I am so proud of each and every one of the girls.

"This was a newly-formed team this season and they have worked so hard in achieving this success.

"I would also like thank our sponsors Molly Maid who have supported us for the last two seasons.”

The team are looking to add players for next season when they move to 11-a-side and anyone interested who is in current school years seven and eight can contact Oxford via Braintree Town Youth and Girls FC website at www.braintreetownyouthfc.co.uk