Kent Open Season With Victory

Kent FA Ladies Representative Team couldn’t have asked for a better start to their Southern Counties Cup campaign as they ran out 4-0 winners against Sussex FA Ladies in what was new Manager Richard Gurney’s first competitive match.

Kent named a strong squad containing players from Crystal Palace, Gillingham & Kent Football United in their search for the title this season and began the match very much on the front foot as Ellie Rivers had a shot saved by Lauren Graves in the Sussex goal as early as the 5th minute. Two minutes later and Kent took the lead, Captain and most capped Player Amy Russ seized on a poor back pass to nip in and round the keeper before slotting into the empty net. Livewire Russ then had a chance to get her second goal moments later but was denied by a great save from Graves. It was Amy Russ who had the next chance for Kent but her effort was blocked by the Sussex defence and the South Coast backline were called into action again as Charlie Goad had a chance blocked and cleared to safety before Goad then fired wide as Kent went in search of a deserved second goal. Sussex best chance of the half fell to Nicole Baitup but she fired wide of Saskia Kacary’s goal. Right on the halftime whistle Kent got the second goal their play warranted as Grace Seely was on hand to prod the ball home on the goal line to send Kent into the break 2-0 ahead.
The first chance of the second half arrived just a minute in the period when Danielle Farmer fired over the bar, then Sophie Chapman was denied by Lauren Graves as Kent pushed forward trying to wrap up victory. Ellie Jeffkins was next to try her luck but she dragged her shot just past the post, this didn’t prove too costly as a minute later Amy Russ scored her second of the match to increase the lead to 3-0. Megan Fox had a long range effort well saved by Saskia Kacary as Sussex tried to get back into the match and it was Fox who came close again on 67 minutes but again Kacary wouldn’t be beaten as she protected her clean sheet. Kent utilised their substitutes well with Mia Lockett coming close to getting on the scoresheet but she was denied by Graves who had a superb game in the Sussex goal but she was helpless to prevent Kent adding a fourth goal in Injury time as Mia Lockett set up Emily Jacobs to slot into the bottom corner and seal an impressive win for the new look Ladies squad.

Kent FA – Saskia Kacary (Crystal Palace Women FC), Grace Seely (Gillingham Ladies FC), Steph Adby (Gillingham Ladies FC), Ellie Jeffkins (Gillingham Ladies FC), Natasha Moloney (Kent Football United Women FC), Vicky Ashton-Jones (Gillingham Ladies FC), Ellie Rivers (London City Lionesses FC), Sophie Chapman (Gillingham Academy FC), Amy Russ © (Kent Football United Women FC), Danielle Farmer (Gillingham Ladies FC), Charlie Goad (Crystal Palace Women FC), Millie Penfold (Gillingham Academy FC), Megan Burrows (Kent Football United Women FC), Mia Lockett (Crystal Palace Women FC), Emily Jacobs (Crystal Palace Women FC).