The UK’s largest girls and women’s one day 5 a side football competition returned to Nottingham for a 26th year on Sunday.  The Victoria Trophy was staged as part of Nottingham’s Festival of Women’s Football, the brainchild of Nottingham City Council with the support of EMDA and coincided with the Women’s FA Cup Final.

The Victoria Embankment saw 117 teams compete in 5 different age groups.  Teams travelled from all over the country and the U10’s final saw Cambridge City B edge out Cambridge City A to take the title.  In the U12’s event Cestria Girls beat Sharley Park to take the trophy back to the North East, however, the U14’s competition brought some success for Nottinghamshire as Arnold Town beat Sharley Park Girls in the final.  After a difficult season for Derby County in the Premiership, their U16 girls team fared much better and were victorious over local rivals Ilkeston Town in a tightly contested affair.

The most popular event in the tournament was the senior competition which attracted 56 teams, all of whom had high hopes of winning the Victoria Trophy.  After 182 matches, 2 teams remained as Rotherham United, conquerors of organisers Nottingham Forest Ladies lined up against Hallam FC in the final.  Not only was the title up for grabs but both were seeking the bragging rights in South Yorkshire.  It was Rotherham that took the initiative with an early goal and they secured victory with a second late on in the game.

Once again the Victoria Trophy proved an enjoyable day for players, coaches and spectators of women’s football.  Almost 100 people took part and 2500 attended what was a fantastic showcase for the women’s game. 

UNDER16s: Derby County 1, Ilkeston Town 0.

UNDER-14s: Arnold Town 2, Sharley Park 0

UNDER-12s: Cestria Girls 3, Sharley Park Girls 1

UNDER 10s: Cambridge City B 2, Cambridge C A 0