We spent the next two days finalising our preparation for the match against St. Mary's. The county cup was an 8 team tournament, meaning that this was a quarter final match. Win, and we'd be in the semi finals, and another win there would put us in the final.

Despite my heroics in the first training session, where I'd scored a hat-trick and felt unbeatable, I was beginning to see how playing in the girls team would be no walk in the park.

Knowing that the game was fast approaching and hoping to impress Miss Snell, all of the girls were upping their game. Sliding tackles were not allowed (in case we injured one of our teammates) but that didn't stop anyone from being physical. I must admit, the upper body strength of the girls astounded me at times, and I was knocked to the floor on more than one occasion when challenging for the ball. Everything was good natured, the only motivation was to mark territory and impress Miss Snell to guarantee a place in the starting XI. But it was still an eye-opener for how I'd need to be at the top of my game come match day; 'if my own teammates are this physical in training, just imagine what the opposition will be like on the day', I thought to myself.

We practiced some tactical stuff like pressing their back line when they were on the ball (I was particularly good at this - even though I wasn't the fittest player, I had a great burst of pace and a keen eye for intercepting a pass). We also worked on our link-up play, including some passing combinations to get the ball behind their defenders more quickly, as well as some set-pieces.

I was still not the tallest player in the team, despite now playing in a girls' side. Several players were taller than me, including our goalie, both centre-halves and Katie. The rest were mostly the same height as me, while a couple like Belle and Evelyn were only just over 5 foot each, so at least I wasn't the smallest team member like I had been in the boys' side.

Unfortunately, I was more or less useless in attacking the corners put into the box and was particularly bad defending them (as I always had been, usually to Mr Phillips' annoyance). As it was, Miss Snell must have seen my lack of aerial prowess and told me to lurk on the edge of the box when we had an attacking set piece, so that I could pick up any loose balls, and when the team was defending one I was to stay on half-way, pushing their defenders back and being ready for a counter-attack. I had never been given a tactical role like this before, but quickly found that it suited my strengths. 'Wow, Miss Snell has a much better eye for the game than anyone I've previously been coached by', I thought.

As the second session ended, we all took a seat on the grass completely exhausted by all the exercise. Miss Snell crouched in front of us, clipboard in hand, and ran through the team for the match.

"So, big game tomorrow girls. I'll run through the team now...please don't be disappointed if you're not starting, we're going to need everyone to get us a result in this match and to get us through the whole tournament. You've all trained really hard over the past few training sessions, so this wasn't an easy decision."

With that said, she began to reel off the team sheet: goalkeeper = Zara, right back = Manisha, centre backs = Millie & Wendy, left back = Sabrina, right midfield = Belle, central midfielders = Amina and Katie (captain), left midfielder = Evelyn, strikers = Amanda and Tabitha. Lucinda, Erin and Scarlett would be our subs.

'Thank God', I thought, 'I've made it in.'

We then went our separate ways. That night, when I was back home as Toby, I slept like a log. The training had been so intense over the last few days. But that was good, as I got a full night's sleep and woke up the day of the match ready and raring to go!

I couldn't wait to get to Miss Snell's house and get ready for the match. We'd agreed I'd get fully kitted up there and then she'd drive us over to the pitch.

I arrived and was quickly ushered upstairs to her bedroom. After putting on my gaff and breast forms, I slipped on the white thong and matching sports bra I had worn on my first day as Tabitha. Miss Snell fixed my make-up like always: "not too much today, you are playing football after all, not going on the pull at a nightclub", she had joked. She then put my wig in place and put it into the usual high ponytail I wore when training. She also made me wear an elastic headband that was a soft shade of yellow. That done, she pulled out my match day kit.

Our school colours were green and white, so our kit was made up of the same colours. The shorts were plain white with three thin green stripes down either side. Our tops were green and white vertical stripes on the front, and a block green on the back (with white numbering). I was given the number 9 jersey. I put the kit on, and it fit perfectly. The long sleeves were a bit odd at first (the boys always played in short sleeved versions of an identical kit) but I think in the end I preferred it. I was all set for my first football match as a girl.

We headed over to the pitch about an hour and a half before kick-off. Miss Snell had to mark the pitch and put up the goals, plus make sure our water bottles were full, all before the team arrived. I, of course, helped her with these tasks. Being there with her that early before kick-off made me appreciate the effort she was putting in for us - 'there's more to coaching than just picking a team and shouting at players', I thought, 'it takes a lot of dedication before everyone turns up and after everyone leaves, too.' She obviously had her timing down to a tee, too, as we just finished putting the final peg onto the net when the teams began arriving.

While Miss Snell spoke to St. Mary's coach and the referee, Katie took us all in a warm-up. We started with some static stretches, progressing to dynamic stretches, and then got into a circle, passing the ball around 2 'defenders' in the middle. We finished the warm-up with a small shooting drill, honing our precision while also warming up Zara in goals.

As we were warming up, a small crowd was gathering at the side of the pitch. There weren't loads of people, but it was a decent crowd of around 100. Most, I assume, were family and friends of the players; there was also a small group of the boys' team (only 5, including Mick and Lloyd), plus Mr Phillips had kept his word from our meeting the other day and turned up to show his support to the team (but mostly to see Miss Snell - I imagine he was earning brownie points).

After we finished our warm-up, we gathered around Miss Snell. Her team talk was short and snappy.

"Right girls, you all know our plan. Short sharp passing, get the ball quickly in behind their defence for Tabitha to run onto. Keep the defence tight and give them no time on the ball. High intensity, quick build-up and plenty of shots. We're going to win this game. Give it everything you've got, girls!"

We put our hands into a circle, cheered on the count of three, and then jogged into our positions on the pitch. This was it...now was my time to shine.

The referee blew his whistle, and we were underway. No more than a minute into the match, Katie dispossessed a St. Mary's midfielder. I set off on a run in behind their defence as soon as she had the ball at her feet, and she lofted a beautiful pass over their defenders. I beat the offside trap and was clear through on goal. I took two touches, getting the ball out of my feet and in a position to shoot. The goalie had come off her line to close me down, leaving plenty of space between her and the goal. I knew I had to chip her, so got my foot under the ball to lift it over her. I managed to lift the ball over her, but got far too much on it, and the ball sailed over the crossbar. I punched the ground in frustration.

"Great ball Katie", I could hear Miss Snell shout, "and great run Tabitha."

We were slicing through St. Mary's with ease every time we got the ball, but I must have left my shooting boots at home because no matter how hard I tried I couldn't find the net. It was the same for Amanda and Katie, too; we must have created at least 10 good chances in the first half compared to none for St. Mary's, but none of us could get that elusive breakthrough. We were all square when the referee blew for half-time.

Our supporting crowd clapped us in and there were calls of "well done girls", "you'll have them in the second time" and "don't panic, the goal will come". None of that helped my frustration. I knew I'd had glorious chances to make my mark in the game but hadn't taken any of them. If you're not scoring as a striker, what good are you?

Miss Snell kept the half-time team talk brief. She complimented us on our build-up play and restricting St. Mary's to very little possession. But she did highlight the need to be more clinical in front of goal. "Just relax a bit, Tabitha, you look like you've got the weight of the world on your shoulders. Relax, and you'll get that goal."

However, that goal never did come. It was still 0-0 after 70 minutes, with the second half continuing in much the same vain as the first - we dominated the ball and chances, but, try as we might, it was as though an invisible force field was protecting their goal. Their keeper made some worldie saves; their defender cleared it off the line one time; we hit the wordwork twice. To say I was frustrated was an chronic understatement.

To add insult to injury, I found myself substituted for Scarlett with 20 minutes remaining. I trudged off the pitch and took my place on the bench, head bowed.

"Don't beat yourself up, Tabitha", Miss Snell consoled me, "every striker has an off day. Use this feeling now as motivation. I'm still confident the girls will win this match, and you'll get your chance again next time out."

And win is just what they did. In the 89th minute, Katie poked the ball home after a scramble in the St. Mary's penalty box following a corner. A scrappy goal, but a winner nonetheless. As the referee blew his whistle, the girls celebrated together while I refrained from celebrating too hard as I felt I had let the team down a bit.

Miss Snell got everyone in as the crowd started to disperse and St. Mary's got on their team bus home. She kept it short again, mainly congratulating us on the win, emphasising that we'd need to be better in the semis, but that mostly we should be proud of how we had fought today.

Gradually everyone went their own ways, until it was just me and Miss Snell packing away. We didn't talk much until we got in the car to drive to her house.

"You're really gutted about today, aren't you?" she asked.

"Yeah, definitely. I shouldn't need that many chances to score a goal."

"I think your problem today was that you were trying too hard. It's easier said than done but try not to think ahead to what scoring a goal means. Think more about the moment and what's the best technique to use to get the ball past the keeper in any given situation."

"I guess you're right. I was hoping I'd score so the girls would...I don't know...respect me more, maybe?"

"You've gained their respect already, particularly Katie. They wouldn't have been playing you through if they didn't think you were up to the task. They'd have found another way through to goal, or shown their frustration to you directly. Let me tell you, those girls aren't shy of showing their true emotions on the pitch."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really! Nobody was frustrated with anyone else today because the play was really good for the most part and everyone was genuinely giving 100%. Everyone saw that. It just didn't click in the final third, but that can happen at times."

We arrived at her house, and she helped me to de-feminise.

As I was leaving, Miss Snell said, "put today out of your mind now. Next match is in a few days time, and I've just received confirmation that we'll be playing Oakwood High. Don't put the same pressure on yourself then that you did today. Just enjoy being Tabitha, playing a sport you enjoy with the new friends you've made."

With that, she waved me goodbye and I headed home. The game against Oakwood High couldn't come soon enough after her little pep talk. Rather than focus on outcomes, I knew hereon that I just needed to enjoy being Tabitha. And I would do just that in the semi-final.