BURY Girls and Ladies head coach Paul Iannaccone wants his players to use victory over Women's Premier League side Hull City as a yardstick for what they could achieve in the future.

The Bury side beat Hull 4-2 on penalties to win the Skem Athletic National Championships after they came from behind to draw the final 1-1.

Iannaccone believes his young side, who play in the North West Women's Regional League, two levels below the FA Women's Premier League, can now push on to move up the divisions.

"These girls deserve every minute of this success," he said.

"They worked so hard last season to develop and improve, and their attitudes and togetherness is fantastic.

"We want to create something special with this young group of players and to beat a team like Hull City in the final is outstanding.

"Hull play in the Women's Premier League, which is where we want to be in the next few years, and this is only the beginning for us.

"We are looking forward very much to the rest of pre-season and more success next season and in the future."

With only three players over the age of 20, Bury had the youngest team in the Women's Open age bracket and managed to come out on top overall against quality opposition from all over the country.

The tournament started well, with an opening 4-1 win against local rivals Little Lever Ladies, which Bury followed up with a 0-0 draw against North East side Southpark.

Two excellent finishes from Chelsea Weatherby and Kristeen Ferenczi helped the women beat Rhyl Ladies 2-0, and another battling performance and goal from Ferenczi earned a 1-0 victory over Ellesmere Port in the final group game.

Ferenczi scored the only goal of their semi-final against Leek Town then equalised four minutes from time in the final to set up penalties.

Jess Lockett, Lucy Golding, Ferenczi and Amy Thomasson scored Bury's spot kicks to clinch the title.