MELKSHAM’S finest female footballing talent did the town proud at the weekend by making it through to the national futsal finals.

The team of six, comprising Amy, Louise, Jess, Mo, Ruby and Tia, beat Dursley, Redlands and St Agnes in the group stages of the tournament in Paignton on Sunday before narrowly edging past Gloucester 1-0 in the final.

They now have their sights set on the national finals in Birmingham on June 24, where they will face professional teams under the watchful eyes of scouts from across the country.

U10’s girls coach John Hiett said: “The girls played so well and it was such a fantastic day.

“They did themselves, their parents and the football club as a whole very proud.

“We were all absolutely thrilled to get through to the finals and can’t wait for the big day to come around. We will come up against some fantastic opposition and it’ll be an experience the girls will never forget.

“The most important thing is that they have a good time while playing, but of course it would be amazing to win.”

The girls made it through to the South West semi-finals in Paignton after coming through as winners of the Wiltshire region tournament in Swindon last month.

Ruby Hopkins, of Bellefield Primary School, scored five goals in the four matches on Sunday, including the crucial winner in the final against Gloucester.

Dad Daryl Tompkins, of Wyke Road, Trowbridge, said: “I was so proud watching on. Everyone played really well and it was great to see Ruby get the winner.

“They’re all naturally talented footballers and showed that on Sunday. I really don’t know where Ruby gets her talent from though as I haven't played for years, but she did grow up watching Spurs.

“In the final it was incredibly tense and luckily Ruby managed to find a bit of magic and curl a shot into the bottom corner from outside the box.

“We can’t wait for the finals.”

Futsal is an indoor version of football played on a hard court, smaller than a full-size pitch.