C&K Basildon Ladies manager Steve Tilson has admitted that he is pleased to have met the targets he set out at the start of the season.

Tilson’s side defeated Charlton Athletic in their final match of the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division season.

And that triumph allowed C&K Basildon to finish in the top six after already winning the Essex County Cup thanks to an extra-time victory over Billericay Town Ladies last month.

Tilson said: “At the start of the season I told the girls that our targets were to win the Essex County Cup and finish in the top six.

“That would have been an improvement on last year and so I am pleased that we have achieved our aims.

“I am proud of the girls and I can’t fault them.

“We are one of the only sides in the league that isn’t affiliated to a professional football club so to achieve what we have is fantastic.

“It was great to finish the season in the way we did, against a strong Charlton Athletic side.”

The 4-3 away win over Charlton Athletic also marked the final game of Stacey Little’s career.

The midfielder chose to hang up her boots and bring down the curtain on a successful career that also included spells with the Addicks and West Ham United.

And Tilson feels it will be difficult to replace Little, who skippered C&K Basildon in their final day win over her former club.

“I love Stacey to bits and it’s going to be really difficult to replace her,” added the ex-Southend United boss.

“You always knew what you were going to get with Stacey - it was always going to be a seven or eight out of ten performance.

“She never missed a training session and she has been brilliant for me.

“I wish she was staying with us for another year.

“I could have tried to persuade her to carry on but I respect Stacey and that is what she decided so I respect her decision.”

C&K Basildon notched eight wins during an impressive campaign.

Tilson’s side ended the 2016/17 season with 27 points, which was enough to secure sixth place in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division and finish above professional clubs Portsmouth, West Ham United, Swindon Town and Queens Park Rangers.