SOUTH Essex’s most successful women’s club, C&K Basildon Ladies, made history on Sunday as they won their first ever match at Women’s Premier League level.
John Hinz’s ladies team produced an impressive second half performance to rally to a 3-2 win against Bedford Ladies in what was the borough’s first-ever match in the newly formed FA Women’s Premier League South East Division One.
An own goal and strikes from Hannah Porter and Zoe Rushen were enough to give them the three points, but they could have taken the lead after only five minutes.
Nicola Carty fired in a cross and Sara Sinclair converted, but the offside flag brought an abrupt halt to the celebrations.
Sinclair was proving a real handful in the early stages and could have opened her account after some good wing play from Karen Stephanou but she dragged her shot wide.
Team - C&K Basildon
Bedford were also creating chances though and Natasha Fensome fired a warning shot against the post after a quick break.
The second half started at a ferocious pace and there were two goals inside the first three minutes.
C&K struck first when Rushen dodged a couple of tackles before crossing low, with her shot deflecting into the net by a Bedford defender.
Two minutes later, a quick free kick saw Rushen’s shot saved, but Sinclair picked up the loose ball, crossed into the penalty area and Porter shot into the bottom corner.
Ten minutes later Bedford pulled one back after a counter attack, Natasha Fensome slipping the ball past Basildon goalkeeper Mel Kinsalla.
Sliding tackle – Nicola Carty goes in to win the ball
The visitors then equalised when another break saw Basildon outnumbered at the back, and Rebecca Vaas side-footed the ball home from ten yards out.
Not to be denied, C&K stormed back when Rushen picked up the ball inside the Bedford half before making her way to the edge of the penalty area, and curling a left-footed shot into the top corner.
BILLERICAY WIN WARM-UP
BILLERICAY Town geared up for their next league match with an impressive win over their rivals C&K Basildon’s development team.
Town beat C&K 3-0 in a match organised by their managing director Peter King and the hosts started in impressive fashion.
Winners - players in a goalmouth scramble
A swift move involving Hayley Piggott and Vanessa Wilson saw Steph Poleykett through on goal, cleverly chipping the keeper after 15 minutes.
It was 2-0 just before the break, with Fran Murphy finding the net before Paris Smith wrapped up the win with 15 minutes to go.
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