CORFE Hills School pupil Molly Pike has her sights set on a professional career in the women’s game on the back of her breakthrough with England under-15s.

Molly, 14, earned her place in the starting line-up through the England FA Elite Development camp and kicked off both matches in a double-header against the Netherlands at Warwick University at the end of last month.

The Chelsea girls’ midfielder played the full 80 minutes in a 1-1 draw with their Dutch counterparts and featured for most of a 3-1 defeat in the second match.

Molly caught the eye while captaining her school and county sides and received England Schoolgirls honours, representing her country against Ireland in Dublin during March.

In addition to her international commitments, Molly balances her schoolwork with three trips a week to training and conditioning sessions with Chelsea at their base in Cobham.

But all the motorway miles could prove worthwhile with the women’s game in England enjoying the benefits of increased media coverage over the past season.

Mum Sally Pike told the Daily Echo: “Molly definitely wants to be a professional. She is determined to keep training hard, improving and hopefully she can stay lucky with any injuries.

“She started off with Dorset’s centre of excellence but after the funding was lost, we ended up travelling farther afield.

“But she is so dedicated, she gives up a lot socially and we are so proud of her. The school has been very supportive as well so hopefully it will all pay off.”

Catherine Beater, assistant head of Corfe Hills School, said: “All of us are very excited by Molly’s achievements this season. She is a first-class role model, not only to the other football girls at Corfe Hills but to the whole of the school’s community.

“We would like to wish Molly all the very best for her continued success at international level with England.”