WITH games cancelled because of the bad weather Wallasey Wanderers Under 14 girls team travelled to Derby for a Park Pride New Year six-a-side tournament.

The annual indoor competition was held in the Powerleague Soccer Dome within Derby County's Football Stadium complex.

After a two-hour journey the team arrived full of expectation at the packed venue.

A spokesman for the club said: "We had 30 minutes until our first game but nowhere to warm up.

"We managed to find a 20-metre unfrozen path outside where we did something resembling our pre-match preparations.

"The games commenced and our first match, unknown to us, was to be against the team we would eventually meet in the competition final.

"As with the majority of the games this was of a very physical nature indeed, but we ran out 2-1 winners in a closely fought game.

"We seemed to get into our stride after this and went into the next five games without conceding a single goal eventually reaching the semi-final.

"This was to be a very close game with both teams battling well.

"Our focus and determination showed through as two very late goals gave us another clean sheet and our ticket into the final.

"The tournament final was a fantastic representation of this well organised event and drew one of the biggest crowds of the day.

"Both teams played some extremely physical and fast flowing football, testing both keepers and entertaining all.

"Wallasey Wanderers grabbed the first goal and held onto this slender lead until the final 30 seconds when the opposition scored, just as the referee put the whistle to his mouth to bring the game to an end.

"Extra time and after a few words of encouragement we were determined not to let their rejuvenated opponents have the final say.

"This showed as we came out fresher than ever and scored a vital early goal which through tingling nerve ends we held on to and eventually ran out Tournament winners."

The event was organisers by Pride Park Junior. AT Transport sponsored the team bus.