Merit Under-13 Girls Cup final: Margate 0 Sittingbourne 10

Jai-cee Green scored a hat-trick as Sittingbourne hit double figures in the Merit Under-13 Girls Cup final.

Green struck twice in the first half and completed her treble after the break in an excellent team performance against Margate.

Gate, who missed a penalty at 4-0 down, never gave up - typified by determined defending from centre-backs Stella Wills and Willow Alentis - but their opponents proved too strong on the day.

There were doubles for Lola Kelly and Isla Davis, while the outstanding Ada-Mae Chitima was also among the scorers in the 10-0 victory.

Esme Huxted was dominant at the back for Sittingbourne and also caught the eye with her long throws.

It was the second of three cup finals this season for Bourne, who play in Division 3 of the Maidstone Youth Boys League.

“I’m proud of the girls,” said manager Jonathan Hayes.

“They’ve played really well, not just today, but in the rounds leading up to it.

“Respect to Margate, they are a Division 2 side in the Kent Girls and Ladies League, and they’ve done brilliantly to get to the final, but we’ve beaten some Division 1 sides on the way.

“I thought we played really good football, particularly in the second half, keeping the game simple.

“Margate were unlucky not to score with the penalty.

“It was a shame for them that they didn’t get a goal but we haven’t conceded all the way through to the final.”

Luci Griffin broke the deadlock with a seventh-minute tap-in after a superb run down the left by the dangerous Chitima.

Green scored her first of the morning two minutes later, coolly lifting the ball over keeper Pippa Martin.

Chances were flowing for Sittingbourne and they extended their lead in the 17th minute when Green intercepted a goal-kick just outside the area and