The Hendon U13 Girls recently returned from Nottingham after winning the prestigious ACES National Finals. The girls were invited to represent North London after a formidable season, which saw them winning the Capital Girls League, Capital Girls League Cup and the London FA Cup.

The ACES National Tournament was established to showcase elite Boys and Girls clubs playing at grassroot level across age groups of 12 to 17. The event is invitational only and the teams selected have had to dominate their respective region of which there are 16 in all. Hendon were pitted against teams from as far afield as Glamorgan in Wales to Washington in the North East.

On the road to the final, the girls competed in a group stage, winning two of the games and losing one against the run of play. After a knock out stage the girls progressed to the quarter final beating Birmingham comfortably 2-0. The semi-final saw the girls drawn against Leicester but again Hendon saw them off with a 2-0 victory.

The Final represented a tough challenge in a very close contest against Washington - who had previously won the Tournament for three successive years. Hendon were held 0-0 at full time which led to the dreaded penalty shoot-out. After great goal keeping and decisive penalty taking and much nail biting from players and parents alike the North London representatives won 6-5. The win represents the first time a team from London have won the tournament.

Head Coach, Ben Moore and Assistant Coach Dean Harrington commented "Hendon FC Girls are an exceptional bunch. Their collective and phenomenal successes in the Capital Girls League, the Capital Girls Cup, the League Cup and now the ACES Nationals this season is all down to this special group of personalities.

"The style and quality of the football this team plays, the intelligence and understanding they now possess, their willingness to constantly improve and better themselves and (most importantly) their collective relationship with one another, their closeness and the way they care for each another as equals, makes them a unique group.

"To say that we, as managers, feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work with such a talented group of individuals as these, wouldn't really go any of the distance in summing up just how special these past few years have been.

"To complete the season as National Champions has been a tremendously emotional experience for all involved. We are just so proud of these young people. Had any of these individuals not been a part of this team over this time, it really wouldn't have been the same and we fear that they might not all have the great memories they now have."

Robert Morris (Honouary Vice President of Hendon FC) added, "The whole club are immensely proud of the girls magnificent achievement. Credit must go to Ben and Dean who have worked tirelessly with the squad to achieve this level of excellence. All in the Borough should be proud."

The Hendon girl players by squad numbers are 1. Ebony Ogbodu-Wilson, 2. Kiara Van Der Geest, 3. Sophie Cheeseman, 4. Haneeka Thandi, 5. Lili Wondwossen-Burnett, 6. Ellie Clark, 7. Edona Malaj, 8. Jeniece Benjamin, 9. Laicia Roberts-Thompson, 10. Charlotte Kiely, 11. Nicole White, 12. Emma Nolan, 14. Leyla O'Brien, 15. Gemma Selby, 17. Leriem Ferhat, 18. T'yana Nee-Chambers, 21. Liana Sideras