In a fixture held over from last season, Town Girls U16s started the 2020/21 season with a cup final at Ackworth Juniors on a beautiful sunny morning.
Our opponents, Guiseley, were top of the league before COVID intervened and showed their ability racing into a 4v1 lead on the day.
Niamh Tyssen scored on her debut with a wonderful solo effort, and Town were unlucky when hitting the post, before being denied by a fine fingertip save from the Guiseley goalkeeper.
Guiseley hit the crossbar and the end to end action continued with Lydia Corner's speculative long-range shot beating the keeper, Gusieley though, were worth their 4-2 half time lead.
Harrogate came out with a more attacking formation after half time and another long-range screamer from Corner, as well a sweetly struck shot from Eva Jenkins levelled the game.
Guiseley hit back strongly, retaking the lead before Liv Johnson scored direct from a corner to restore parity at 5-5.
With the temperature over 20 degrees, the work ethic of the girls on both sides was commendable and after a slick Harrogate Town move, Corner completed her hat trick when she slotted Town ahead.
Guiseley pushed forward for an equaliser, but the Town girls worked exceptionally hard to restrict them and continued to create the better chances.
The result was finally secured when, with the last kick of the match, a defence splitting pass found Jenkins whose fine finish sealed a remarkable comeback, a 7-5 victory and Harrogate Town Girls U16s first trophy.
The whole game was a wonderful advert for female football and both sets of players deserve huge credit.
Nic Streatfield, the U16s manager, commented: "I am so proud of this group of players. The way they responded in the second half was exceptional, both in the football they played and their determination to work hard for each other right to the end. It was wonderful to see the smiles on the faces when they received their medals."
Town U16s: Ellie Wilson, Taia Port, Millie Watson, Olivia Delaney, Bella Devereux, Natasha Abbot, Lily Pritchard, Robyn McKendrick, Hannah McHugh, Lydia Corner, Maddie Dennis, Liv Johnson, Lucy Taylor, Niamh Tyssen, Eva Jenkins (c)
Goalscorers: Niamh Tyssen, Lydia Corner (3), Eva Jenkins (2), Liv Johnson
Player of the Match: Niamh Tyssen