THE rise of Hullbridge Ladies continues after they upset the odds to win their second league title in two years.

The team lifted the Essex Women’s Premier Division trophy at the weekend after defeating Hutton Ladies Reserves 4-1 in their final match of the season, following a brace from Broghan Kelly plus strikes from Katie Harigan and Cristina Sragnito (aka ‘Totti’)..

The story is made more remarkable as the team was only created in the summer of 2014, with former Southend United Ladies Lisa Frost taking the reins.

Having lifted the division one title last year, the women will now be competing in the Eastern Region first division next term.

And Frost has backed the team to be more than capable of competing at that level.

“They are such a good group of girls and they deserve their success” said Frost. “They never give up and that is such an important trait to have. We were 3-1 up against Hutton and I think we scored with the last kick of the game which shows that they are hungry and always want more.

“We were fortunate that Chelmsford City slipped up last week against Lawford and that opened the door for us to win the league and we have taken advantage of that.

“Looking ahead I am excited about what this team can achieve. I know it will be tough but I fully back this group to push any team all the way, as they have done since we started.”

Frost is now looking to bridge the gap between the youth teams and the adult set-up, with the under-12s next step up currently the reserve team.

And she says an under-15 team would help develop future first-team players.

“We need to close the gap between the under-12s and the reserves as it is too big a gap,” said Frost, who has now won back-to-back league titles in her first management position. “I would love an under-15 side and that is something to look into.

“To win two titles in a row is great and I am proud,” she added. “I am thrilled but also tired and a bit of a worrier so I am looking forward to the summer now.”