A BUDDING young footballer has seen her dreams come true by spending a day at a Premier League ground and having a training session with her sporting hero.

Shannon Halliday, 13, of Boston met up with England and Everton Ladies' goalkeeper Rachel Brown and toured the club's Goodison Park ground as part of a competition run by FA Cup sponsors E.on.

The teenager was nominated for the company's Great Saves contest, which rewards the country's unsung goalkeeping heroes, by her coach at Wyberton Wildcats Girls' under-13s, Mike Pearson after racking up an impressive six clean sheets in 12 games this season.

Following the tour, which took in the Goodison Park changing rooms, post-match interview area and pitch, Shannon travelled to Everton's Finch Farm training ground for a master class with Rachel and England under-19s goalkeeping coach Andy Johnson.

Shannon, who was inspired to take up goalkeeping by watching Manchester United's Edwin Van De Sar in the 2006/07 FA Cup final, told the Target: "I'm a massive Everton Ladies supporter so getting the chance to look around Goodison Park with Rachel was so cool.

"I was a little bit star-struck at first, but Rachel was really nice so it wasn't long before we were chatting about football and the history of the club.

"I couldn't believe how big the changing rooms were.

"They are a bit bigger than the ones I am used to.

"The coaching session was an amazing experience. She's my hero so it was pretty awesome.

"We worked on my reflexes and handling.

"I can't wait to tell my mates about it."