LILY Mellors enjoyed a C&K Basildon Ladies debut to remember, scoring in a 2-1 win against Plymouth Argyle.

The right midfielder netted 33 minutes into Sunday’s game as C&K secured their first home victory of the season.

And Mellors is thrilled to have teamed up with Basildon after opting to leave West Ham United in turbulent circumstances.

“Six of us walked out of West Ham because things were happening there that I didn’t like,” said Mellors, who had been with the Hammers for the past three seasons.

“There are lots of issues going on there and I didn’t want to be involved in any of it.

“I wasn’t enjoying my football there at all and walked out after a very heated meeting with players and coaching staff.

“But I’m happy to be at Basildon now and I already know six of the girls in the team from playing with them at Colchester.

“I’ve already played against them three times this season too so I knew they were a good side and that they have a very good manager in Steve Tilson.”

Mellors therefore jumped at the chance of teaming up with Basildon and was delighted to kick off with a hard-fought win.

However, the midfielder felt the margin of victory should have been much bigger.

“We played really well in the first half, we got the ball into dangerous areas and we should have scored more goals,” she said.

“The second half we put ourselves under a bit of pressure and we stepped off the gas a little bit, but we managed to hold it together and get the three points that was needed.

“But it was great to start off with a win and getting myself a goal.

“I hope winning and scoring goals continues because I enjoyed the game a lot.”

Mellor’s goal put C&K Basildon in front just past the half hour mark when she reacted sharply to Karissa Rodney having an effort saved by the goalkeeper.

And Basildon doubled their lead just two minutes later when Claire Lacey headed in a corner from Amy Nash.

Plymouth pulled a goal back within three minutes of the restart when an over-hit cross was inadvertently headed past Cherie Rowlands.

But Basildon survived some late pressure from Plymouth to come out on top.

C&K Basildon: Rowlands, Carty, Smith, Lacey, Duchar-Clark, Stephanou, Rodney, Mellors (Dunsden), Rushen, Stimson, Nash.