Leyton Orient Advanced Soccer School (LOASS) Under-12 girls came up agonizingly short at the ESF Festival of Football tournament at Bognor Regis.

And LOASS won four out of their five matches, narrowly missing out on top spot to the Southamp-ton Saints.

They started the tournament against Little Thurrock Dynamos. LOASS dominated the game from start to finish, which was reflected in the impressive 6-1 scoreline.

Sian Lakes scored an excellent first goal from defence which gave the team the momentum they needed.

Their second game was a tougher affair against St Albans City Youth, who top their county's ‘B’ Division.

However, LOASS scored the only goal of the match through Jessica Benning and held on for a 1-0 victory.

Their next encounter was against Biggleswade United Youth, who didn't give LOASS much compe-tition. LOASS ran away with the victory, the game finishing 8-0, including an impressive four goals from Brogan Jeffers-Cass.

The girls went into their fourth match at the top of the table having won three from three the day before.

They played an AFC Kempston Girls side who employed a bizarre tactic of man-marking the goal-keeper, Jessie Burke.

LOASS won an early penalty, brilliantly converted by Jessica Benning. This settled their nerves and Ella Chisholm added two goals after the break to confirm their victory.

This meant they headed into their final game, against a very strong Southampton team, needing just a draw to win the competition.

They put up a valiant display in a tightly contested game but fell just short when Southampton scored after a goalmouth scramble to win the game 1-0.

LOASS may not have won the competition but they can take great pride from their effort and will hopefully take the confidence won into their Essex League Cup Final later this month.