A fantastic finale to the Kent FA Kent Reliance Ladies Day Final saw Bromley win the Ladies Plate for the second time in four years thanks to an amazing final against a determined Thamesview who came agonisingly close to causing a major upset.

It was a final that didn’t disappoint and had some explosive shooting, fierce tackling and incredible defensive blocks which was a real credit to the Ladies game!

Bromley were two in front just after half time courtesy of Charlotte Rafferty’s blockbuster and Paige Bradley’s sensational chip. 

But when Hannan Lorton hit the top corner with a stunning free kick, you sensed that the Rainham side could pull something off and indeed they did – and how – as Lydia Wills gloriously volleyed home a through ball from 25 yards. 

Into extra time, the game went with the crowd totally enthralled before up stepped Bradley again in the second period with a free kick that incredibly bettered anything else that had been seen on the day – a goal indeed good enough to win any game of association football.

Bromley boss Steve Payne was still trying to digest his side’s win when he spoke the KSN. 

“It was immense and to be honest my nerves are shot to pieces – I thought it was an amazing Final,” he said. 

“When they scored their first they really took the game to us and were great. But was a sensational free kick it was terrific to win.” 

When he was told that this was Thamesview’s debut season, the Bromley boss paid this tribute. 

“That’s amazing – if they keep going like that year in year out they could be untouchable in time!”

For Dan Humphreys, the Thamesview coach, had nothing but admiration and pride for his team. 

“It’s been an amazing first season,” the coach admitted. 

“To come back from 0-2 down and without a game in a month, I’m super proud of the girls. They were fantastic and have done everyone so, so proud to get this close!!!”

Bromley almost took the lead early on as a combination of the magnificent Sian Cheedy and keeper Bronwyn Allen somehow combined to deny Bradley as the ball was deflected onto the bar and away. 

It wasn’t long though until Bromley took the lead through Rafferty’s piledriver, and it would have been better still for Bromley had Hannah Lorton cleared a corner off of the line. 

Bromley were threatening to run away with things and Allen made a fabulous save to deny Danielle Glancy as she raced through.  And before the break Shedean Dyer went even closer as her drive beat Allen and thumped against a post.

So when Bradley gloriously lobbed home a Bromley second just after half time the writing seemed on the wall for Thamesview, but huge massive credit must go to the Medway side as they recovered magnificently. 

First came Hannah Lorton’s free kick, and Anelle Massey thought she’d levelled the scores when Bromley keeper Tanya Holley fumbled a free kick but was quick enough to fall on the ball as it rolled goal-wards. 

There was nothing though that Holley, or indeed three or four Holley’s could have done about it as Wills brilliantly hooked the ball home from 35 yards.

Both sides went for the winner and Cheedy was absolutely outstanding as a red rock at the back for Thamesview whilst skipper Chloe Robertson shone defensively for Bromley. 

Then in the second period of extra time came Bradley’s moment of glory arrived and it’s doubtful that many male keepers could have got anywhere near her pin point free kick that flew into the top corner leaving Allen groping fresh air.

A truly sensational advert for the Ladies game and an amazing end of a truly fantastic weekend for Bromley Football Club following their male counterparts exploits on Saturday of reaching the Final of the Buildbase FA Trophy – weekends like this don’t happen very often!

BROMLEY – Tanya Holley, Chloe Robertson, Rebecca Bays, Paige Bradley, Kira Curtis-Howard, Shedean Dyer, Danielle Glancy, Demi King, Hannah Paige, Chrlotte Rafferty, Ntcha Dyett

Subs – Kayleigh Lecomber, Kimberley Morris, Ellouise Simmons, Vittoria D’Urso, Jessica Wills

THAMESVIEW – Bronwyn Allen, Sian Creedy, Maddison Massey, Hollie Musmeci, Loise Lorton, Hannah Lorton, Shannon Redhouse, Anelle Massey, Lucy Stillwell, Kylie Yuill, Lydia Wills

Subs – Chelsea Wallace & Victoria Price

Referee – Jo Park
Assistants – Shannon Martin, Natasha Carroll & Tia Walby

Pictures supplied by PSP Images.