Essex County Council  1  v  Romford  4

Essex County Council and Romford met in this final game knowing that victory for either team would give them second place and promotion to Division two.

ECC are the only team who play their league games on grass and home advantage has certainly helped them this year as they went into the game boasting a 100% home record with 11 wins out of 11.

With strong support cheering them on Romford went at ECC from the off and had early opportunities through Sheryl James and Kelly Butcher. Their early domination paid off after 11 minutes when a free hit from Donna Reed found Leah Butcher who turned and shot through the Keepers pads. ECC showed why they are undefeated on grass and for the next 10 minutes had Romford pinned back in their own half. Short corner after short corner went begging with their closest opportunity striking the post. Sevim Hodge marshalled her defence well and was supported by Jessica Edwards and Bijal Patel.

With twenty minutes gone ECC’s pressure finally paid off when they pulled level from a well-worked short corner routine. Romford fought their way back into the game and as the play flowed from end to end both defences were in top form. With 5 minutes of the half remaining Romford regained the lead when substitute Paula Woodward got the final touch on Kelly Butcher’s goal bound shot. Sevim Hodge made a goal-line clearance and with the last attack of a thrilling half Leah Butcher saw her shot well saved by the Essex Keeper.

Chances came the way off both teams in the second half and Laura Woolford saved well to deny Essex and early equaliser.

As the game progressed Romford began to take control with Sheryl James, Donna Reed, Emily Geordmaina and Katie Williams spreading the ball across the midfield. With 15 minutes on the clock Laura Ennis long pass released Leah Butcher, who beat the last defender before unleashing a powerful shot into the bottom corner. Leah Butcher then completed her hat-trick 5 minutes later, when she won the ball off the defender before running into the D and slapping the ball into the top of the net to sew up the game and give her the player of the match award. Jessica Edwards then played a cricket sweep to clear the ball off the line before Leah Butcher hit the post after some good link up play with sister Kelly and Emily Geordmaina.