Essex FA Women's county representative squad were unlucky not to get anything from the opening game of this season's East Anglian Counties Championship losing away from home against Suffolk FA Women the current holders of The Fred Welham Cup, 4-3 two weeks ago. With 2 games left to play both at home again Kent tonight and Hertfordshire in the New Year, Essex need to get something from the game if they want to remain in contention for the trophy. Have a squad of largely, Billericay Town Ladies and Writtle Ladies players. Injuries to the Silver End United players involved with the squad last time out see call-ups for Colchester Town Ladies, Sasha McDonald and Georgia Box.
Kent FA Women joined the East Anglian Counties Championship last season making an impact finishing 2nd behind Suffolk FA Women as the 2 faced each other in the final game to decide the winner. Were due to start this season's competition off at home at the start of October their game against Hertfordshire FA Women ending up being postponed begin their campaign tonight. A squad made up largely by players from Gillingham FC Ladies, Millwall Lionesses, Meridian Ladies and Barking Abbey all have representation.
The venue for tonight's game AFC Hornchurch. Doubles up as an athletic's venue a running track around the pitch a good size, seated stands on both sides the clubhouse and bar overlooking the ground one end. A chilly night cloudy with a hint of rain in the air.
Essex FA Women starting XI - Beth Griffiths (Writtle Ladies), Nicole Farmer, Charlotte Hopwood, Hayley Piggott (C) (all Billericay Town Ladies), Aysha Bentick (Barking Abbey), Charlotte Bryant, Abigail Fry, Courtney Clark (all Writtle Ladies), Lindsey Morgan, Katie Whitehead & Paris Smith (all Billericay Town Ladies).
subs - Charlotte Twydell (Brentwood Town Ladies), Leanne Stubbings, Sophie Vale (both Writtle Ladies), Sasha McDonald & Georgia Box (both Colchester Town Ladies).
Kent FA Women starting XI - Katie Startup, Lauren Williams, Ellie Manning (C), Vanisha Patel, (all Gillingham FC Ladies), Catherine Cooper (Brighton & Hove Albion WFC). Sammy Booker (Millwall Lionesses), April Bowers, Jess King, Ricky Turner, Millie Waud (all Gillingham FC Ladies) & Amy Russ (Meridian Ladies).
subs - Lydia Wills (Gillingham FC Ladies).
(roll on roll off substitutes)
Just the one substitute for Kent on the night with Essex having 5 available. Kent kitted out all in blue get the 1st half underway with Essex all in red. Not a lot of room between the touch line and the running track players needing to be mindful as they go into challenge for the ball on the touchline. Courtney Clarke up front for Essex on the left at the start of the match peels away to the left corner as Lindsey Morgan puts the ball down the line for her to chase, gets an early ball into the box is headed clear by Kent captain, Ellie Manning. A scrappy start to the match the ball being moved quickly everyone getting a touch passes being cut out.
Essex attack down the right the ball is played on into path of the advancing Katie Whitehead on the right wing picking up the ball travels into the area has Clark on her inside, goes it alone unleashing a shot in towards the near post, Katie Startup in the Kent goal saves with her legs the ball deflected behind for a corner.
Essex are starting to find some rhythm pressuring Kent in possession winning the ball back and turning it around quickly. Morgan links up with Russ as she wins the ball in midfield rolls in into the attacker coming over to the left to receive the ball, looks to play it over the top for Whitehead advancing far side the ball is too close to Startup the keeper gathering it into her body. Kent attack down the left side Millie Waud crossing early Essex captain, Hayley Piggott at the back goes to clear outside her area, slices her clearance behind her looping up towards goal, Beth Griffiths is in the right place to catch the dropping ball in goal.
Amy Russ playing through the centre in attack for Essex comes over to the left to receive the ball gets fouled. Outside the box on the left Clarke sends the set-piece into the area, Manning gets up for Kent to head the ball clear of the area. A rapid counter attack for Kent, Lauren Williams bringing the ball on into the Essex half from right back plays the diagonal ball long up towards the area players bursting forwards to get into the area Waud slides onto the ball as it bounces turning it towards goal from just inside the area, Griffiths dives to her left making the save pushing the ball away for a corner. Griffiths then comes confidently through bodies at the near post to lay claim to the ball launches a counter the ball into Morgan passes on to Russ, who is forced left as Kent's Vanisha Patel stops her from spinning in behind, Russ manages to launch the ball up into the area, Startup getting their before Clarke can attack it.
Morgan is instrumental for Essex in midfield busy breaking up alot of play gets the ball into Paris Smith left they play a one two Morgan feeding it into Clarke up top tries to spin away from Catherine Cooper marking her closely the defender prevents her getting in behind to attack the goal beyond. Griffiths is called into action to make a save as Kent attack doen the left Waud crossing into Russ inside the D, shifts the ball between her feet well to avoid a tackle, hits the shot Griffiths throwing herself at the rising ball pushing it away for a corner.
Charlotte Bryant plays the ball into Morgan as Essex push forwards through the middle the ball is helped on for Clarke central, lets it run through her on for Paris Smith unmarked coming in left of goal meeting the rolling ball, leans back as she attempts to curl it into the top corner across goal goes over the crossbar. Sammy Booker with several good challenges in the centre of midfield for Kent brings the ball on this time plays the pass out wide to Waud advancing left, sliding to get to the ball diverts it into the middle with Russ trying to get into the box, Piggott gets her boot on the ball clears. The ball is with Kent's Rikki Turner 25 yards out goes for goal the shot flying over the Essex goal.
Williams looks to release Jessica King on the right wing for Kent getting in behind tries to carry the ball inside, Nicole Farmer gets back on her to lunge in put the ball away for a corner. Swung in near post, it's King who gets her head on the ball near post knocking it down int the ground is cleared at the post by Essex. Good running from Waud down the left for Kent played in by Booker an early ball into the box as Russ times her run to burst in behind the Essex defence, Griffiths is off her line quickly to slide in and take the ball at her feet.
Manning plays the ball up the left for Waud ahead of her, the visitors get players forwards Waud putting it inside for Booker helps it on for April Bowers she plays it out to King wide right and immediatly makes a run into the box wanting the return ball, King attempts to pick her out, Essex's Aysha Bentick reads it and gets in ahead of Bowers to intercept the cross inside the box. End to end Farmer plays her clearance long over the top of the Kent back line Clarke after it shoots from 20 yards, Startup behind the shot takes it cleanly on the bounce.
A Kent ball lifted up into the box on the right sees an error made between Bentick and Griffiths inside the six yard box with Russ hustling the ball Bentick tries to shield it for Griffiths the keeper diving doesn't get it as Russ pokes a toe at the ball to knock it away from her gloves pushed away from goal 2 yards out turns back inside shoots puts the ball straight at Bentick who blocks and clears it.
10 minutes of the 1st half left Griffiths comes rushing out to the edge of her box as Russ is played in through the middle bearing down on the area she smashes her shot straight at the advancing keeper, gets a 2nd bite at the cherry as the ball rebounds back to her, the shot blocked by a defender drops to Bowers further out puts her strike over the bar. Waud whips in a early cross long into the area looking for King breaking forwards on the opposite flank, Farmer with her beats her to the ball conceding the corner. Essex deal with the initial corner try to get out of the area the ball is won back played out to the right the cross delivered into the area far post Charlotte Hopwood rises to head the ball out of danger for Essex.
Clarke out on the right for Essex carries the ball up the wing lifts a cross into the area, Patel heads it back out towards Clarke turning inside drives into the box her shot at the end of her run lacking the power to avoid Startup getting down at the near post. Startup is well placed in her goal to collect a 25 yard shot from Morgan after Whitehead rolls the ball into her from the right. Attacking late in the 1st half Turner bringing the bal through the middle passes to the advancing Waud on the left fires the cross in along the face of the box, King inside the D tries to bring it under control, the Essex defence close her down, as the referee blows the 1st half to a close.
Clarke out on the right for Essex carries the ball up the wing lifts a cross into the area, Patel heads it back out towards Clarke turning inside drives into the box her shot at the end of her run lacking the power to avoid Startup getting down at the near post. Startup is well placed in her goal to collect a 25 yard shot from Morgan after Whitehead rolls the ball into her from the right. Attacking late in the 1st half Turner bringing the bal through the middle passes to the advancing Waud on the left fires the cross in along the face of the box, King inside the D tries to bring it under control, the Essex defence close her down, as the referee blows the 1st half to a close.
Half-time Essex FA Women 0-0 Kent FA Women
Goalless at the break has been a competitive 1st 45 minutes, Essex starting well pressing Kent on the ball the passes rushed as a result not finding their mark, a large pitch both sides have used the space available, Waud in particular seeing a lot of the ball for Kent on the right, chances created by both sides, the keepers called into action, Griffiths denying Kent with some good saves, Startup well placed whenever Essex try a pop from range.
Changes for both sides at half-time, Kent bringing on Lydia Wills to replace King on the right. Essex with a double change bringing on Writtle Ladies, Sophie Vale and Sasha McDonald from Colchester Town Ladies for her Essex debut. Whitehead and Bryant the players rested. It's Essex to kick off the 2nd half. Straight away Kent win the ball back and play it long for Waud to chase down the left wing delivers the ball into the box, Bentick getting there ahead of Russ near side to play the ball out for a corner.
The corner is played in deep towards the far post knocked down into ground Bowers latches onto it 6 yards out sees her shot charged down the rebound cleared to the top of the area Williams has a shot drags the low ball wide across goal. Kent have started the 2nd half well have Essex penned in their own half. Russ gets her foot on the ball 30 yards out drives forwards laying it wide to Wills on the right, bombs on into the box as Wills attempts to return the pass, Piggott gets across Russ to win the ball. Half cleared the ball falls to Kent's Turner, goes for the shot 30 yards out a dipping shot is straight at Griffiths.
The early pressure from Kent is relieved as they giveaway a free kick on half-way, players go forwards as Piggott sends the ball up towards the area right side 25 yards out Vale helps the ball on into the area dropping far side Clarke is in behind after it, Startup rushes out to meet her saves the shot blasted against her. Essex make another change with Georgia Box coming on up front to replace Smith. Great build up from Kent the ball with manning at left back brings it forwards Bowerd coming across from the middle receives the pass sending it down the left channel with Russ peeling away into space, sends a low cross in towards the near post Wills arriving, connects before Griffiths can gather puts the ball wide of the near post.
Booker picking the ball up from deep dribbles it forwards into the Essex half not closed down lets fly from 30 yards out her shot whistles over the crossbar. Patel intercepts the ball at the back for Kent carries it out finds Waud on the left squares the ball into the middle early for Booker, tries to thread the ball in behind for Russ into the box Piggott goes with the attack sliding in to win the ball.
Vale is fouled by Kent inside their half giving Essex a free-kick in a central position. Piggott with a long run up goes for goal, getting plenty behind the shot it flies over Startup who throws herself at it in vain the ball cannons off the crossbar, dropping down into the six yard box Kent scramble it away from danger a counter attack is on the ball fizzed into Waud inside the D, shifts the ball between her feet to evade a tackle, turning to shoot is off balance falling as she strikes the ball rolls wide of the target. Essex make a 4th change bring on Brentwood Town Ladies, Charlotte Twydell for Hopwood at right back. Bringing th ball on down the left Waud and Russ combine playing the ball across the face of the Essex area, the ball running into Turner 25 yards out an up and over strike Griffiths diving to her left claims the ball.
GOAL! 22 minutes of the 2nd half played and the pressure Kent have applied bring them the opening goal. Russ is played in down the left wing by Waud the attacking moving down the line checks back inside as she reaches the top of the area, whips a cross into the six yard box, Bowers flying in throws an outstretched leg at the ball taking it past Griffiths and into the far side of the goal 0-1.
For a spell after the goal the play is quiet neither side making any ground as the battle of possession remains as strong at it was 1st half. Essex fashion a chance as the ball is played crossfield to Vale, spinning in behind her marker plays the ball early into the middle, Morgan tries to help it into Box ahead of her the deflection taking the ball away to the right, Twydell is out there puts the ball back in along the six yard box a diving header near post from the Kent defence sees the ball come back to her, goes long this time the ball flashing along the six yard box Farmer rushing in can't get anything on the ball to turn it towards goal. Kent bring king back on in place of Manning.
Booker is closed down by three Essex defenders at the top of the box as she receives the ball from Wills on the right. McDonald plays the ball forwards in to Fry plays it to Morgan ahead of her sends the pass out to Vale breaking forwards into space on the right into the box drives a shot in low near post, Startup gets down to save it but looses the ball from her gloves rolls behinds for a corner as the rain starts to fall, blowing across the pitch. Clearing that corner Essex press win a corner on the left side the ball is played up the line to McDonald send it height into the box near side Bentick gets up to head the ball down doesn't direct it on target.
Booker is closed down by three Essex defenders at the top of the box as she receives the ball from Wills on the right. McDonald plays the ball forwards in to Fry plays it to Morgan ahead of her sends the pass out to Vale breaking forwards into space on the right into the box drives a shot in low near post, Startup gets down to save it but looses the ball from her gloves rolls behinds for a corner as the rain starts to fall, blowing across the pitch. Clearing that corner Essex press win a corner on the left side the ball is played up the line to McDonald send it height into the box near side Bentick gets up to head the ball down doesn't direct it on target.
GOAL! 10 minutes left on the clock and Essex capitalise on a piece of slack play at the back to get themselves back on level terms, Georgia Box latching onto a misplaced back pass 30 yards out on the left and drives for the box, the Kent defence can't close her down in time, Startup comes rushing off her line, Box goes for powers trying to send the ball over the advancing keeper, Startup throws a glove up into the air gets something on the ball, falling looks back to see it bounce into the back of the net beyond 1-1.
Another free-kick for Essex on half-way Piggott's ball in is cleared, comes back out to Fry drills it back in low into Morgan outside the box, the Kent defence immediately converge on her no way through into the box. Keeping possession Essex win a corner on the left played in near post is knocked down into the ground, Essex get a shot away from 3 yards the ball is blocked on the line. Kent get it away. Fry plays the ball on for Vale on the right side Waud back defending now since Manning left the field dives in to take the ball away from her put it out for a corner. The corner goes long to the far post is fired back across the six yard box Vale throws herself at it doesn't connect.
Kent break up the other end with just a couple of minutes of normal time left, Booker bursting forwards ahead of play to get into the box after the ball, Twydell tracks back and gets to Booker tackling to play the ball behind for the corner kick. A vicious inswinging ball from the corner on the right threatens to go straight in under the bar Griffiths punches it away to the right, Kent appeal for hand ball as the ball is put back into the area the plea's ignored play goes on Kent putting the ball back in Turner trues the overhead kick connects with the ball 10 yards out can't direct it on target. Kent keep the pressure in late into injury time now Russ with a strike from 25 yards deflects off a defender's head over the goal for a late corner. Fired into the six yard box from the right Williams gets something on the ball turns it towards goal Essex clear off the line out of the box Waud picking it up shoots from 25 yards out her shot straight into Griffiths the keeper holding onto the ball as the referee blows the final whistle the game ending all square the points shared.
Another free-kick for Essex on half-way Piggott's ball in is cleared, comes back out to Fry drills it back in low into Morgan outside the box, the Kent defence immediately converge on her no way through into the box. Keeping possession Essex win a corner on the left played in near post is knocked down into the ground, Essex get a shot away from 3 yards the ball is blocked on the line. Kent get it away. Fry plays the ball on for Vale on the right side Waud back defending now since Manning left the field dives in to take the ball away from her put it out for a corner. The corner goes long to the far post is fired back across the six yard box Vale throws herself at it doesn't connect.
Kent break up the other end with just a couple of minutes of normal time left, Booker bursting forwards ahead of play to get into the box after the ball, Twydell tracks back and gets to Booker tackling to play the ball behind for the corner kick. A vicious inswinging ball from the corner on the right threatens to go straight in under the bar Griffiths punches it away to the right, Kent appeal for hand ball as the ball is put back into the area the plea's ignored play goes on Kent putting the ball back in Turner trues the overhead kick connects with the ball 10 yards out can't direct it on target. Kent keep the pressure in late into injury time now Russ with a strike from 25 yards deflects off a defender's head over the goal for a late corner. Fired into the six yard box from the right Williams gets something on the ball turns it towards goal Essex clear off the line out of the box Waud picking it up shoots from 25 yards out her shot straight into Griffiths the keeper holding onto the ball as the referee blows the final whistle the game ending all square the points shared.
Full-time Essex FA Women 1-1 Kent FA Women
An entertaining contest and a great showcase for Women's County Representative football, Essex doing well against a strong Kent side. Holding them to a goalless 1st half, Kent starting the 2nd half strongly got themselves into the lead, Essex manager Kim Coster had the players available on the bench to introduce fresh legs to the side and finishing strongly Essex pulled the goal back 1-1 a good result both have 1 point on the board. Kent have 2 matches left to play against Hertfordshire and Suffolk both at home in the New Year.
A good game for the neutral, my thanks to both the Essex and Kent FA's for their assistance.
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