Bolton School extended its annual Football Festival for local primary schools this year by adding an extra evening for girls to play.

The tournament ran over three evenings rather than the usual two, with a total of 1,200 youngsters enjoying small-sided football games over the course of the event: 57 teams comprising Year 3 and 4 pupils on night one; 62 girls’ teams, 16 female referees and one WSL Everton Women’s player on night two; and more than 60 teams on the final evening of action, made up of 40 Year 5 and 6 teams in the A competition and 20 Year 5/6 teams in the B competition.

The girls’ final saw St Andrew’s Over Hulton draw 1-1 with Eatock and the teams deciding to share the trophy rather than go to sudden-death penalties. On the final matchday, Red Lane beat St Brendan’s 2-1 in the A Competition final, whilst Egerton and Mytham competed in the B Competition final with Egerton running out 1-0 winners.

The event is organised by Bolton School’ football coach Keith Branagan, a former Bolton Wanderers’ goalkeeper, along with the Bolton Sports Alliance.

The games were refereed by players from Bolton School’s Year 8, 9 and 10 football squads, as well as volunteer girls from Ladybridge High School, Thornleigh and Bolton School Girls’ Division.