England striker Alessia Russo has gone from the only girl in an under-eights’ team in Kent to the brink of World Cup glory.

The 24-year-old scored the third goal in the 3-1 victory over Australia in front of 75,000 fans in Sydney on Wednesday to set up a final against Spain on Sunday.

It is a far cry from her first efforts at West Farleigh Sports Club near Maidstone. Club chairman Paul Baines said it was “amazing” to see one of their own leading the line for the Lionesses going into a World Cup final.

“We are so proud of her, as we are of all our young players. It was really special to see her score such a crucial goal, shooting across the goalkeeper as we teach all our players to do.”

“She is so talented. When she played here she was in a boys’ team and she was better than all the boys. She had to be to prove she could cut it.”

“She is an amazing talent and probably one of the first names on the England team sheet. There’s huge pride for what she has achieved.”

Under the watchful eye of her Dad Mario, Alessia always had a passion for football with both of her brothers playing the game.

Leaving the UK for the United States in 2017 to progress her career, Alessia joined her brother Luca in studying and playing football and ended up at North Carolina Tar Heels.

Two years of studying at the University of North Carolina allowed Alessia to hone her skills and she came away with a degree with a major in sport and exercise science.

The former Bearsted Under 10s girl and former St Simon Stock pupil clearly was going to give her all in living her dream and Russo proved she was prepared to make sacrifices to pursue her passion.

Back in England, before she left for the United States, Alessia was back where it all began as Mr Baines explained:

“When Alessia was about 15 she asked if she could come back to train on our pitch as she lived nearby. It was a privilege to see her doing her drills and working so hard. Little did I know that those sessions were part of a progression to leading the England front line.”

“When she asked if it was okay to use the pitch, she was so polite and down to earth. It’s great to see her on the big stage.”

Now just one game away from potentially being a World Cup winner, the whole of Kent and England will be willing her on to be the first woman to lead the line and win a World Cup winners medal.