Kent Merit Under-14 Girls Cup Final: Maidstone United 1 London City Lionesses 3

London City made their dominance count as they ensured Maidstone’s bonus of home advantage didn’t give them an extra edge on Sunday.

It was a comfortable victory for London, who hit the post through Sienna Loom inside the first six minutes and never looked back once ahead on 13 minutes.

Maidstone were guilty of conceding possession on the edge of their own penalty area, giving Loom a clear run on goal. Her low drive was brilliantly saved by keeper Lucy Morley but the ball spun high in the air and striker Lucy Hope outjumped the keeper as she got to her feet to head home from close range.

Morley, whose handling was excellent, saved well again from Marne Mae Owen. Maidstone’s defence stood firm for the rest of the half with Lucy Gadd, captain Amber Ruthven and Summer Ensigner all showing plenty of determination.

Maidstone started the second half brightly with Kelsi Wilkinson impressing down the right wing.

But London soon got back into their stride and they strengthened their grip on proceedings with a second goal on 40 minutes. Player-of-the-match Hope did well to get a cross in from the right wing under pressure and the ball eventually fell for Lillie-Rose Banks to volley home precisely in the bottom corner.

Hope then led a London break but was thwarted by Holly Reach. The ball fell perfectly for Iris Fairbairn, who thought she had a tap-in, only for Ebony Chapman to make a brilliant last-ditch tackle.

Fairbairn’s low drive was well saved by Morley, who could do nothing about the third goal just before the hour mark. Loom’s right-wing corner fell perfectly for Owen to convert from close range.

London thought they had scored a fourth with three minutes left but referee Thomas Reed deemed Hope had fouled keeper Morley.

Mai