ALDERSHOT Town FC celebrated International Women’s Day on Saturday with a full day of events.

The Shots earned an impressive point against FA Cup quarter-finalists Lincoln, but it was the girls who took over the club for the day, competing in a five-a-side tournament, who earned most plaudits.

The young women who became chairwoman, press officer, PA Announcer and groundswoman for the day all performed their tasks with great success. Vital jobs included greeting and hosting Lincoln’s directors in the boardroom, inspecting all areas of the matchday operation to ensure the day ran smoothly, introducing the Shots team to the crowd, painting the two penalty spots, writing a report on a highly competitive game, and interviewing midfielder Jake Gallagher for ShotsTV.

Chairman Shahid Azeem said: “It was a great pleasure to welcome these mature and professional young ladies into our club and we were all impressed with how they conducted themselves. I think several of our regular staff have competition for their roles now!

“It is vital that a football club be as inclusive and diverse as possible and we were delighted to see a much higher than normal percentage of female supporters attend the game. We hope some become regular Shots fans in the future.”

Milford Pumas won the Under 11 tournament final which was played at half-time. The Pumas beat Reigate’s South Park FC 1-0 to secure the title, the only goal coming in the last 30 seconds.

Fleet Spurs, who escorted the Shots onto the pitch before the game, were semi-finalists alongside a second South Park FC team.

Lincoln City Girls accompanied the Imps onto the pitch, as the Pumas and Woking Cougars formed a guard of honour for both men’s teams. Burnham Juniors, from Slough, and Aldershot’s Wellington Primary School also reached the quarter-finals.