Schoolgirls delighted to play final at Wembley

Southend United boss Kevin Maher and skipper Jack Ralph have given the youngsters their backing

A primary school football team have shared their excitement about playing at Wembley Stadium just hours before Southend United.

The Bournes Green Junior School side is made up of many young Shrimpers fans due to its location in the Essex city.

They will contest a national schools cup final at 13:00 BST, two hours before Blues' National League play-off decider against Oldham Athletic.

Captain Flo, 11, said: "I'm quite confident we're going to win, I think we're going to go and smash it."

The side won their semi-final after a gripping penalty shootout.

The Year 5 and 6 pupils will now take on AFC Fylde, from Lancashire, at the national stadium.

Flo said: "We were so amazed, so excited as we knew we were playing at Wembley."

The girls were surprised by Maher and Ralph during a school assembly

Fellow player Eleanor added: "It feels incredible that we've got this opportunity.

"But it's also a bit nerve-wracking, because we know this is our one chance and we need to give it everything we've got."

'Once in a lifetime'

The girls were surprised during the build-up to the game when Southend boss Kevin Maher and skipper Nathan Ralph gatecrashed a school assembly.

They presented the young footballers with a commemorative kit and shared some top tips for glory.

One of the girls, Micky, said: "It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment and I'm very grateful.

"Not many people get to go to Wembley and play on the actual pitch."

Eliza, whose goalkeeping heroics helped to win the shootout, said she felt a mix of nerves and excitement ahead of the big match.

"It's really unbelievable that we've got to this stage and we're actually going to play at Wembley," she added.