A solid base helped Kings Hill to glory in the Kent Merit Under-15 girls cup final against Anchorians at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium on Sunday.
Nothing got past captain Emma Cowell at the heart of the Kings Hill defence and a goal in either half by Elma Smajlovic and Alice Marshall sealed their triumph.
“It was a great game,” said Kings Hill manager David Rodriguez. “Congratulations to Anchorians, they were awesome and really stretched us.
“We’re happy to come away with the victory, the girls are really happy and the fans have been great.
“We try to be solid, play the ball from the back in triangles and play good football.
“That’s what we’re here for - to develop the girls and make them better.
“It was the toughest match we’ve had all season. Their keeper made some fantastic saves and I just wished we’d score more goals earlier to make it less stressful for me!”
Behind Cowell, goalkeeper Maisie Duggan was competent both with her handling and kicking outside the area while the back four all knew their jobs and gave little away, as well as passing the ball out from the back.
Lyra Probert and Millie German both forced early saves from Anchorians keeper Sofia Basso before Freya Jones set up Marshall, who worked space on the edge of the box before firing against the inside of the post.
Anchorians were not just there to make up the numbers, either. In combative centre-back Brooke Driver, they had arguably the game’s stand-out player in the first half. Her reading of the game was outstanding, her tackling perfect and her distribution was excellent.
In midfield Maisy Rogers also impressed while Evie Northwood provided a good attacking outlet.
The opening goal came just seven minutes before half-time when German played in
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