The Kent FA Ladies came back from a goal down to beat their Army counterparts and with it the league trophy on Wednesday night.

Having conceded just before the half time interval, Bill Long’s side went on to claim victory at Chatham Town with Jay Blackie and Jade Keogh scoring the all important goals that helped Kent maintain their unbeaten record for the season.

With Kent going into the game with just twelve players and the Army set up for a physical battle, it came as no real surprise that the opening half an hour of the game was a cagey affair with neither goalkeeper really troubled.

There was an early warning for Kent in the third minute though as the Army constructed a well worked move that saw their centre forward clip the outside of Faye Baker’s right hand post.

That warning shot saw Kent come into the game more and Jay Blackie let off a thunderous drive that went narrowly wide just before the half hour mark.

Meanwhile, Charlotte Gurr showed all her experience to shrug off the attention of a couple of defenders before curling a left foot shot just wide of the upright.

With the two sides set to go in at the break level, the Army side broke free from the Kent defence and scored against the run of play.

That only served to inspire the Kent side who came out after the interval looking a much improved side and a minute into the second half, Jay Blackie’s header from Charlotte Gurr’s corner had to be headed off the line.

Six minutes later and the same combination linked up again, but this time Blackie powered her header into the back of the net.

As the half wore on, Kent started to command the game and on 64 minutes Lauren Williams tried an audacious lob that the Army keeper did well to tip over the bar.

Two minutes further on and Kent took the lead as Jade Keogh danced into the box before slotting the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.

Having taken the lead, Kent showed their appetite for more with Herne Bay’s Vicky Holness going close in the 72nd minute, cutting in from the left before curling an effort that the Army keeper did well to palm over.

With just three minutes left on the clock, Holness had a great chance to make it 3-1, but she couldn’t quite connect to substitute Georgia Richards’ cross and the ball went agonisingly wide of the target.

In the end it mattered not as Kent hung on for the win and more importantly with it they claimed the crown of being Champions of the Southern Counties Cup Women’s Competition for the second year running.

FULL TIME: KENT FA LADIES 2-1 ARMY FA LADIES

Speaking after the game, manager Bill Long was pleased his side had shown great spirit to come back from 1-0 down and to claim the Championship going throughout the season unbeaten:

“It was fantastic. The second half was much better than the first to be fair and we showed our quality to win the trophy.”

“Charlotte Gurr was exceptional and I think if she played in the park with her mates, she’d give as much effort as she has done in this game.”

“In and around their box we played some lovely one touch football and there were some great through balls. The Army said after the game that we gave them a good game and the better team won.”

“Our goalkeeper Faye Baker had little to do, but when she did she did it well and she’s come on bundles this year.”

“We had some players missing, but all credit to those that were out there and it is a real honour for us to have gone unbeaten this season.”

 

Kent FA line up: Faye Baker (Gillingham), Amy Russ (Meridian), Chantelle Mackie (Millwall Lionesses), Charlotte Long (Gillingham), Amy Taylor (Gillingham), Megan Carroll (Charlton Athletic), Jay Blackie (Gillingham), Jade Keogh (Gillingham), Vicky Holness (Herne Bay), Charlotte Gurr (Gillingham), Lauren Williams (Gillingham).

Sub: Georgia Richards (Charlton Athletic).

Army FA squad: Sgt Lee, SSgt Wright, Pte O’Neil, Pte Trowbridge, Ssgt Davis, Bdr Turnbull, Pte Brown, LCpl Jones, Pte Keane, Pte Rigby, LCpl Trehane, Pte Jennings, Cpl Taylor-Koff, Cpl Jaffe, LCpl Symonds, Sig Wells.

Referee: Mr Brian Woodhouse

Assistants: Mr Tony Sanders & Mr Ian Stride.

Pictures supplied by http://www.psp-images.co.uk/