Kent Merit Under-14 Girls’ Cup Final: Aylesford 0 Sittingbourne Youth 11

The goals flowed for an impressive Sittingbourne side in the Kent Merit Under-14 Girls’ Cup final.

Five late goals ensured an emphatic scoreline, which was rather harsh on a battling Aylesford side who finished the game with 10 players after a late show of dissent.

Sittingbourne boss Jonathan Hales said: “I’m really proud of the girls, they played really well and were clinical going forward.

“But these cups are not just won on the day, we had a tough route into this final and some really good competitive games.

“This is all about enjoying the occasion. The Kent FA put on a really good final, it’s well-organised and a great stadium for the girls to play at.

“It was a great performance and I’m glad they enjoyed it.

“Liv got a couple of good goals early on and that settled the nerves.

“We play in a boys’ league as well and that helped with the physicality and the fitness we’ve shown.

“We’re in the Medway League where we’re second and we have to play the leaders twice still plus we’re in the cup final there at the end of May.

“It will probably be our last season with the boys but it has helped the girls develop and improve, and we’ve still got lots to play for.”

The tone was set as early as the third minute when Olivia Tress blasted home from long range to put Sittingbourne ahead.

The lead was doubled on 11 minutes when Tress headed in a right-wing corner by Lois King.

Tress then completed her hat-trick 11 minutes later, converting a loose ball after keeper Demi-Leigh Applegate produced a fine save to deny Maisie Shersby after a long throw-in from Esme Huxted.

That sparked a run of three goals in four minutes. The fourth was an excellent finish into the top corner by Malise Tommy-Mbogba with Applegate rooted to the spot.

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