THREE girls from King’s College played for the England Independent Schools’ Football Association (ISFA) Under-18s team against Australia on Sunday.

Midfielder Beth Beale, and striker Sarah Hill, who also both play for Exeter City Ladies, and defender Gemma Chilcott, who plays for Bishops Lydeard, were all in the starting line-up for the match which was played at Clifton College.

Despite suffering a 4-0 defeat, all the girls gave a good account of themselves, with Hill being denied an almost certain goal by a last-ditch tackle after creating some space following brilliant footwork.

The girls are all in their final year at King’s, and two of them - Beale and Hill - are hoping to be awarded Football Sports Scholarships in the USA for the autumn.

Chris Heayns, director of football at King’s Schools said: “This is a great achievement for the girls and is thoroughly deserved. 

"It is also an achievement for King’s – to have three players in the team is something pretty special.”

He added: “The future looks good for girls’ football at King’s, with six girls in the England ISFA Girls Under 16 squad and many younger girls throughout the school following the example of our senior players.”