Garston Ladies have received a £250 respect award to mark the FA Girls' Football Week after voluntarily going down to ten players in a Herts Girls Football Partnership League Cup Final last season.

Their opponents in the Under-15 League Shield, St Albans City North FC, were forced to go down to ten players due to an injury.

Garston removed a player and eventually lost 3-2.

Dave Annal, Under-16 team co-manager and club vice chairman said: “Respect is a huge thing. It’s so big and so important. The reason we do this isn’t to win trophies or chase glory. But so we can provide football and activity for these girls. That’s why we do it.

“It’s so important that the girls understand what both winning and losing are about. It’s easy to win games, but the real test of character is how you respond to defeat.”

Garston ladies co-manager and chairman Ray Smith said: You forget results, they go very quickly. But you don’t forget the memories. You want the players to take away that was the best time ever, playing football with our friends.

“For the very specific reason that it was the girls’ spirit and attitude that informed the decision to go down to ten players in the final, we’re going to spend some of it on the club but we’re also going to spend some of it on treating the girls after a game next week.”

Garston Ladies Under-17 Sharks were beaten 2-0 by Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses at the weekend.

The Under-16 Jaguars thrashed Bedford 9-1 away with Jemima Dawkins scoring eight goals and one from Ellie Fitzgibbons.

Garston Under-15s overcame Hitchin Belles 3-1 with efforts from Holly Chappell, Rebecca Kidd and Amelia Dyer.

The Under-14 Pumas were fortunate to snatch a 1-0 victory over Harvesters after a goal from Abbie Lafayette.

Garston Under-14 Panthers clinched a 4-2 win over Knebworth Youth.

Amira Quraishy’s first-half brace gave the Panthers the lead and captain Joanna Verducci added two more in the victory.

The Under-13 Lionesses came from behind to beat Borehamwood 4-3.

Sharday Constable, Issie Smith, Harley Carr and Nicole Zermani earned the win.

The Under-13 Tigers drew 0-0 with Bury Rangers.

Garston Under-12 Jaguars defeated the Leopards 2-1 with goals from Victory Edema and Minnie Freed. Emma Green scored a consolation effort.

The Under-12 Wildcats lost 6-2 to St Margaretsbury despite Miriam Shaw and Olivia Watt consolations.