EFL Week Of Action: Matchwinner Annabelle aiming to reach the top after incredible Wembley win

 

Having started playing football at an early age, Annabelle Cawthra has fallen in love with the beautiful game ever since. 

 

She said: “I start playing football when I was around six at Hessle Sporting, and I played there up until last season as I now play for York City Foundation RTC U14 Girls.” 

Annabelle also plays regularly for South Hunsley School’s Girls team and was part of the squad who were victorious in the 2022 Utilita Girls Cup. 

 

The Utilita Girls Cup comprises of a six-a-side competition for U13 girls that culminates in a grand at Wembley Stadium, with over 20,000 girls taking part in the competition nationally.  

 

Not only was Annabelle part of South Hunsley’s winning squad, but she also scored the winning goal too, a feat that many can only dream of.  

 

Speaking about the experience of playing and being a matchwinner at Wembley, she said: “I felt quite nervous before the game, but the nerves went as soon as I stepped out onto the pitch. 

“The game also went really well, and I scored too which was obviously a really good feeling and I didn’t believe it had happened too!” 

 

Having achieved such incredible things at such a young age, Annabelle now has dreams of reaching the very top level. 

 

She said: “I hope to play for England but even if I don’t make it, I just want to carry on enjoying playing football. 

 

“I really look up to Chelsea and England midfielder Fran Kirby as she plays the same position as me.” 

 

Despite winning the Utilita Girls Cup last year, the team are ready to go again now having already won the Local Final in Hull and the Area Final in Sheffield.  

 

The last round saw the team win all eight of their games, conceding no goals during the day too.  

 

Speaking about the importance of opportunities like this, the Tigers Trust’s Female Engagement Lead Ellie Tanser said: “It’s so important we create opportunities like this to showcase the talented young female footballers we have in this area, and to raise the profile of girls' football even further.” 

 

The Tigers Trust would like to thank Annabelle for being such an incredible role-model to young girls across Hull and East Yorkshire, and we wish South Hunsley all the best in the coming rounds of the Utilita Girls Cup.