The Gospel Oak team that recorded 10 victories out of 10 to clinch the CSSA Northern League title, before a 4-0 win in the play-offs final. Pictured are: Ada Power, Eva Power, Savannah Fay-Thompson, Ziqra Islam, Demi Woolford, Crystal Uche-Kaine, Lara Greenfield-Byers and Sienna Kimpson

MEET the very best young footballers in the borough.

Overall 28 primary schools set out on a quest for glory back in November as they battled it out in the regional divisions of the Camden Schools Sports Association (CSSA) Year 5 & 6 Football League.

There were months of thrills, skills, dynamic defending and, of course, goals in the Northern League, which was held at the Talacre Community Sports Centre in Kentish Town, the Southern League, which was staged at Regent High School in Somers Town, and the Central League, which was played at the sports pitches in Castlehaven, Camden Town.

The best eight girls’ teams and the best eight boys’ teams booked their place in the borough champions play-offs, which were then held at Talacre at the end of February. That’s where the girls from Gospel Oak Primary School etched their names in CSSA history by completing one of the most scintillating seasons ever witnessed.

Having recorded 10 victories out of 10 on their way to clinching the Northern League title, Gospel Oak then maintained their 100 per cent win record in the play-offs.

Their unstoppable run culminated in a 4-0 triumph over Emmanuel Primary School from West Hampstead in the final, where twins Eva and Ada Power, Sienna Kimpson and Ziqra Islam were all on target. Crystal Uche-Kaine also almost scored, only for her effort to come back off the post.

Goal-getter Ziqra was singled out for special praise by former Arsenal and England star Kirsty Pealling, who described the youngster as “a highly talented left-footed player” and “one to watch in the future”.

Goalkeeper Savannah Fay-Thompson didn’t concede a single goal throughout the play-offs, while Demi Woolford and Lara Greenfield-Byers also both scored to help Gospel Oak reach the final.

Triumphant Brecknock Primary School, who won the boys’ competition for the first time with a golden-goal winner from Niko Hajdasz against Rosary School in the final. Pictured are: Niko Hajdasz, Hubert Djama, Daniel Ruskin, Marlei Charles, Jonathan Vieira, Javier Shepherd and Alex Barrow

Their coach and PE teacher, Jef Gooding, said: “I’m incredibly impressed with their achievement. They are the best girls’ team I have seen in the last 25 years of entering the CSSA Football League.

“They are the only team ever to have a 100 per cent win record in their regional league and then, at the borough champions play-offs, win all five of their games without conceding a single goal.

“They set a great example in their style of play by also winning the Northern League Fair Play award. Many of the team have put in a lot of hard work to reach this standard – with several doing football sessions in school since Year 1 and going on to join and train regularly with external football teams.”

Celebrating how the girls’ game has grown in the borough, Seamus MacGibbon, co-chair of the CSSA, said: “The situation has transformed in Camden over the last 25 years since the CSSA introduced compulsory entry of girls’ teams for a boys’ team to be able play in our leagues.

“In 1997 there were only seven girls’ teams taking part and only one external football club that accepted girls in limited age categories. This season we had 28 primary schools enter both boys and girls teams.

“Even the opportunities for playing outside school have greatly increased with many clubs now running girls’ teams. The recent success of the women’s England team has also helped, showing there are now even opportunities for a lucrative professional career.”

The boys’ competition was just as pulsating, with Brecknock Primary School recording their own well-earned slice of history by winning the elusive trophy for the first time.

Having shown tremendous fortitude to reach the play-offs, the boys then had to dig deep to get their hands on the silverware.

Their final against Rosary School, from Belsize Park, finished goalless and went to five minutes of extra-time. With penalties looming Niko Hajdasz scored the golden-goal winner as he found the bottom corner with a perfectly placed free-kick.

“All the players did really, really well – we’re all so proud of them,” said Brecknock’s coach and PE teacher Abdi Ahmed. “Going into the play-offs we weren’t among the sides fancied to win the title. But we’ve come a long way in terms of teamwork and commitment. The players have been working so hard in training and all that hard work really paid off.

“This is the first time the school has ever won the football play-offs. The kids are over the moon – there were even some tears of joy. They were just so, so happy.”