C&K BASILDON Ladies made it three Essex County Cup wins in four years as they beat Writtle Ladies 3-0, with all three goals coming in the first half.

A brace from Lily Mellors followed a strike from Karissa Rodney in the showpiece with the result almost ensuring Basildon had won the competition without conceding a goal and, even more impressively, without fielding a recognised goalkeeper in the run.

Number one Cherie Rowlands suffered a season ending injury in early December, and Molly Povey, from Crystal Palace, was banned from playing under competition rules.

Right back Sophie Blowers picked up the gloves, and kept three clean sheets and she was rarely tested in the final against opponents who play three leagues below Basildon in the Eastern Region Division One.

Basildon made the best possible start and took the lead after just four minutes when Amy Nash sent Rodney clear of the Writtle defence and she lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper.

A minute later, the roles were reversed as Rodney found Nash on the edge of the penalty area, but her shot was held by Writtle goalkeeper Rhianna Farr.

Rodney volleyed Lily Mellors’ cross against the post on eight minutes and, just before the quarter hour mark, Kerry Stimson’s cross into the six yard box was punched clear in front of Claire Lacey, who was playing her last cup tie before retirement at the end of the season.

The second goal arrived on the quarter hour mark when Mellors intercepted a Writtle goal kick and, spotting Farr off of her line, sent an audacious 35 yard shot over her head and into the net.

Farr denied Rodney and Zoe Rushen as the pressure intensified, while Nash shot wide of the post.

Parr had to be at her best to keep out Rodney as rampant Basildon streamed forward, with Katherine Huggins looking to get in on the act only for Parr to clear the ball to safety.

The third goal arrived on the stroke of half time when Nash’s pass sent Mellors clear of the Writtle defence and, despite Farr saving her first shot, Mellors was quickest to the rebound, converting from a tight angle.

Basildon could have added to their tally in the second period and it wasn’t until the hour mark that Blowers was called into action, making a low save from Courtney Clarke’s firm shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Five minutes later, Farr once again showed her athleticism as she tipped Rushen’s shot onto the top of the crossbar.

Writtle created some good late opportunities with Courtney Clark’s free kick from the edge of the penalty area flying just over the bar, before the same player forced Blowers into making a one handed save from a strong swerving shot.

The final action of the match saw Blowers catch a stinging shot from Courtney Clarke above her head at the second attempt.

C&K Basildon: Blowers, Porter (Carty), Stimson, Stephanou, Lacey, Rushen, Smith (Bryant), Huggins, Rodney, Mellors, Nash