TOMBOY Lisa Baldwin is more than a match for any of the boys in her school football team.

The 11-year-old, who loves to dive fearlessly at the boots of centre forwards, is the only girl in the team - and plays in goal.

Lisa clinched the number one spot purely on merit, says her proud PE teacher at Tonge Moor CP School, Bill Poole.

"She has made some outstanding saves, some of them have been magnificent."

Lisa, who lives in Tonge Moor, is not just a member of the team, she's their star player.

Several of last season's games saw her collecting the "man of the match" title and she's a popular team member too.

Lisa is a versatile player who is can kick with either foot. She can also play "outfield" and excels in a right defensive position too, says Mr Poole.

The youngster, who is 5ft 1in tall in her boots, started playing football in the school yard and then was picked for the girls' team.

When trials were held for the male-dominated A-team Lisa was the perfect choice to keep goal.

Mr Poole said: "She proved she could compete with the best boy players."

Lisa comes from a family of Bolton Wanderers supporters and says she models herself on Wanderers' keeper Keith Branagan.

She said: "I just do the same sort of saves and dives that he does."

Lisa also plays for Bolton Girls' under 12s team, also in nets.

Her skill on the field obviously helped her team to success last season.

Mr Poole said: "We had our best season for a number of years and finished third in the league."

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