A 16-year-old schoolgirl scored a tremendous hat-trick as Barnsley FC Ladies emulated their male club-mates by lifting a trophy.

Brittany Sanderson, from Jump, who is a year 11 pupil at Netherwood School, hit a treble as the Reds beat Huddersfield Ladies 4-2 on Wednesday to win the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA's Challenge Cup for the first time ever.

"It was a fantastic performance by the whole team and in particular Brittany," said manager Ian Clark.

"For a 16-year-old to be running rings around defenders who are ten years older than her is amazing.  She scored three great goals and, even though she loves our club and has been with us since she was nine, we will struggle to keep hold of her because big teams will want her.

"The cup is similar to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy (which Barnsley FC won earlier this month) because a lot of the really top teams are not in it.  But it's still prestigious and a massive achievement for our club."

Clark – the father of former Reds player and now Shrewsbury man Jordan – was sent off at 3-2 for dissent. He said: "I just got caught up in the moment. If you swear in the ladies' game, it's a red card.  I should have known better but I am very passionate and it was a big game.

"In a way it helped the team because we had gone into a bit of a lull but me getting sent off seemed to perk them up.  They got the fourth goal and saw it out really well."

Sanderson and Holly Findlay put the Reds 2-0 up in the final at Parkgate but Huddersfield, who play two leagues above them, pulled one back just before half-time. After the interval, Sanderson made it 3-1 then got the final goal after the Terriers had scored their second.

On Saturday, the Reds' hopes of winning the North East Regional League were dealt a blow as they were held 1-1 at home to Whitley Bay. Second-placed Barnsley are now 14 points behind leaders Brighouse although they have three games in hand.  Barnsley's under 11s and under 12s also play in their League Cup finals over this weekend.