Match Reports
2009-10 SeasonWe need someone to write match reports for this season. Could that person be you?
2008-09 Season
Harlow Town (H) - 24th May, 2009
- Havering (at Maldon Town FC) - 17th May, 2009 [ECGFL Cup Final]
Harlow Town (A) - 3rd May, 2009
- Leigh Rockets (A) - 26th April, 2009
Stevenage Borough (A) - 19th April, 2009
- Leigh Rockets (H) - 8th April, 2009
- Barking Ladies (A) - 29th March, 2009 [ECGFL Cup - Semi Final]
Harlow Town (H) - 8th March, 2009
- Ekco Whitecaps (A) - 1st March, 2009 [ECGFL Cup - Quarter Final]
Colchester Town (A) - 22nd February, 2009
Stevenage Borough (A) - 1st February, 2009
- Colchester Town (A) - 18th January, 2009
- Colchester Town (H) - 23rd November, 2008
- Leigh Rockets (A) - 16th November, 2008
- Leigh Rockets (H) - 9th November, 2008 [ECGFL Cup - Round 1]
Stevenage Borough (H) - 19th October, 2008
Harlow Town (A) - 12th October, 2008
Hoddesdon Owls (A) - 5th October, 2008
Havering Girls (H) - 28th September, 2008
Barking Ladies (A) - 21st September, 2008
Brentwood Town Ladies (H) - 14th September, 2008 [ friendly ]
Havering Girls (H) - 7th September, 2008 [ friendly ]
Rayne Girls (A) - 31st August, 2008 [ friendly ]
Harlow Town (A) 3rd May, 2009
East Thurrock United Ladies 2 - Harlow Town 0 Sophie Dowman (35 mins, 52 mins)
[match abandoned after 64 minutes (injury to Harlow player) – ECGFL declared that result stands]
Having already completed an historic league and cup double, the Rockettes went into their final game of the season determined to keep their unbeaten record intact. This twice postponed match took place at the Shell Club, Corringham, as Rookery Hill was re-seeded several weeks ago in preparation for next season.
East Thurrock chose to play the first half up hill and against a slight breeze. As early as the second minute Sophie Dowman found herself in a position to get a shot in after a series of throw-ins down the left side. The Harlow ‘keeper saved easily and her clearance created a chance at the other end but the shot sailed over the bar.
The game became bogged down in midfield with neither side creating any chances of note until the 20th minute when a peach of a pass from Kerri Thomas over the top of the Harlow defence found Dowman in an offside position. Harlow won a corner on the half hour after Chelsea Hinz had blocked a shot but their striker headed over from six yards. From the goal kick Laura Stone went on a run, cutting through the Harlow defence before laying the ball into the path of Katie Wilson who shot over from 25 yards.
In the 35th minute a powerful run down the right flank by Lucy Cooper got her into space to send over a low cross to the near post which was cleared at the expense of a corner. Georgia Allen took it short to Thomas who crossed to find Dowman unmarked and she prodded the ball into the Harlow net. Immediately from the restart East Thurrock won the ball back and a sweet pass by Wilson to Stone put her through on goal but her shot was well saved. This proved to be the last significant action of the first half.
The second half started with Harlow creating the first chance but the cross was caught by Rockettes’ ‘keeper Layla Prior. Prior’s long clearance found Wilson who passed wide to Cooper, Cooper knocked the ball into the path of Dowman and the striker neatly sidefooted the ball past the advancing Harlow ‘keeper to record her 34th and final goal of the season.
East Thurrock were playing some of their best football for weeks and on the hour mark they created another chance as Dowman played the ball through to substitute Tia Hart who had joined the action three minutes earlier. The next serious attack was mounted by Harlow, but their striker stayed down after an innocuous looking challenge in the Rockettes’ area and Prior kicked the ball into touch so the player could receive treatment.
That kick proved to be the last of the Rockettes’ season. After receiving treatment for several minutes it was decided that professional help should be called and the injured player was left where she fell. Within minutes a paramedic was on the scene, swiftly followed by an ambulance. After a considerable delay, the referee decided to abandon the match with 26 minutes left to play.
Team: Layla Prior; Kerri Thomas, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Hayley Williamson (Tia Hart, 57 mins); Kealy Farley (Emma Smith, 57 mins), Sophie Dowman.
A subsequent meeting of the Management Committee of the Essex County Girls Football League decided that the 2-0 score line should be recorded as the final result as there was no time to replay the game. This decision means that Stevenage Borough finished as runners-up to East Thurrock United in the league.
After a thorough examination the Harlow player was found not to have sustained any serious injury.
East Thurrock chose to play the first half up hill and against a slight breeze. As early as the second minute Sophie Dowman found herself in a position to get a shot in after a series of throw-ins down the left side. The Harlow ‘keeper saved easily and her clearance created a chance at the other end but the shot sailed over the bar.
The game became bogged down in midfield with neither side creating any chances of note until the 20th minute when a peach of a pass from Kerri Thomas over the top of the Harlow defence found Dowman in an offside position. Harlow won a corner on the half hour after Chelsea Hinz had blocked a shot but their striker headed over from six yards. From the goal kick Laura Stone went on a run, cutting through the Harlow defence before laying the ball into the path of Katie Wilson who shot over from 25 yards.
In the 35th minute a powerful run down the right flank by Lucy Cooper got her into space to send over a low cross to the near post which was cleared at the expense of a corner. Georgia Allen took it short to Thomas who crossed to find Dowman unmarked and she prodded the ball into the Harlow net. Immediately from the restart East Thurrock won the ball back and a sweet pass by Wilson to Stone put her through on goal but her shot was well saved. This proved to be the last significant action of the first half.
The second half started with Harlow creating the first chance but the cross was caught by Rockettes’ ‘keeper Layla Prior. Prior’s long clearance found Wilson who passed wide to Cooper, Cooper knocked the ball into the path of Dowman and the striker neatly sidefooted the ball past the advancing Harlow ‘keeper to record her 34th and final goal of the season.
East Thurrock were playing some of their best football for weeks and on the hour mark they created another chance as Dowman played the ball through to substitute Tia Hart who had joined the action three minutes earlier. The next serious attack was mounted by Harlow, but their striker stayed down after an innocuous looking challenge in the Rockettes’ area and Prior kicked the ball into touch so the player could receive treatment.
That kick proved to be the last of the Rockettes’ season. After receiving treatment for several minutes it was decided that professional help should be called and the injured player was left where she fell. Within minutes a paramedic was on the scene, swiftly followed by an ambulance. After a considerable delay, the referee decided to abandon the match with 26 minutes left to play.
Team: Layla Prior; Kerri Thomas, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Hayley Williamson (Tia Hart, 57 mins); Kealy Farley (Emma Smith, 57 mins), Sophie Dowman.
A subsequent meeting of the Management Committee of the Essex County Girls Football League decided that the 2-0 score line should be recorded as the final result as there was no time to replay the game. This decision means that Stevenage Borough finished as runners-up to East Thurrock United in the league.
After a thorough examination the Harlow player was found not to have sustained any serious injury.
Havering (at Maldon Town FC) 17th May, 2009 [ECGFL Cup Final]
East Thurrock United Ladies 4 - Havering 1Kealy Farley (7 mins) (90 mins)
Sophie Dowman (23 mins)
Lucy Cooper (61 mins)
Laura Stone (90+1 mins)
The Rockettes swept to victory in the Essex County Girls Football League Cup Final on Sunday to complete an historic league and cup double. This is the first season that the ECGFL has run U18 competitions, so East Thurrock United Ladies will be the first name on both trophies. The match was staged at Maldon Town FC and to mark this special occasion the girls travelled in style on a luxury coach provided by their supporters.
The outcome of the game was never really in doubt from the 7th minute when Kealy Farley put the Corringham girls ahead after the Havering ‘keeper failed to hold a shot from Sophie Dowman. Dowman doubled the lead after 23 minutes when she took a pass down the right flank from Emma Smith and she then saw a long range effort come back off a post just three minutes later after she had broken through the centre.
Havering thought that they had got back into the game a couple of minutes before the break but their ‘goal’ was ruled offside and then they lobbed the ball onto the top of the Rockettes’ crossbar deep into first half stoppage time.
East Thurrock gambled on a triple substitution right at the start of the second half and it was one of these replacements, winger Lucy Cooper, who scored the third goal. Just past the hour she sprinted down the right touchline but rather than cross the ball, as the Havering defence anticipated, she cut inside and beat the ‘keeper at the near post from an acute angle.
As the game moved into stoppage time Havering grabbed a consolation goal as the Rockettes defence momentarily lost concentration – perhaps dreaming about their post-match celebrations. However, midfield live-wire Laura Stone quickly restored their three goal advantage as she latched on to a pass from Farley to make the final score 4-1.
The Rockettes play their last game of an outstanding season when they take on Harlow Town in a twice postponed league match next Sunday afternoon. The game will be staged at the Shell Club (2pm KO) as Rookery Hill has already been re-seeded in preparation for next season.
The outcome of the game was never really in doubt from the 7th minute when Kealy Farley put the Corringham girls ahead after the Havering ‘keeper failed to hold a shot from Sophie Dowman. Dowman doubled the lead after 23 minutes when she took a pass down the right flank from Emma Smith and she then saw a long range effort come back off a post just three minutes later after she had broken through the centre.
Havering thought that they had got back into the game a couple of minutes before the break but their ‘goal’ was ruled offside and then they lobbed the ball onto the top of the Rockettes’ crossbar deep into first half stoppage time.
East Thurrock gambled on a triple substitution right at the start of the second half and it was one of these replacements, winger Lucy Cooper, who scored the third goal. Just past the hour she sprinted down the right touchline but rather than cross the ball, as the Havering defence anticipated, she cut inside and beat the ‘keeper at the near post from an acute angle.
As the game moved into stoppage time Havering grabbed a consolation goal as the Rockettes defence momentarily lost concentration – perhaps dreaming about their post-match celebrations. However, midfield live-wire Laura Stone quickly restored their three goal advantage as she latched on to a pass from Farley to make the final score 4-1.
The Rockettes play their last game of an outstanding season when they take on Harlow Town in a twice postponed league match next Sunday afternoon. The game will be staged at the Shell Club (2pm KO) as Rookery Hill has already been re-seeded in preparation for next season.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith (Sophie Drake, 49 mins), Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Tia Hart (Lucy Cooper, 49 mins), Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Hayley Williamson (Kerri Thomas, 49 mins); Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Harlow Town (A) 3rd May, 2009
Harlow Town 1 - East Thurrock United Ladies 1 (71 mins) Laura Stone (48 mins)
Rockettes came into this match suffering a major injury crisis and having only eight fully fit players. Centre back Chelsea Hinz (foot) and midfielder Hayley Williamson (knee) were ruled out of the starting line-up whilst right back Emma Smith (knee) started the game but knew she would be unlikely to last the full 90 minutes. Layla Prior took her place in goal despite undergoing laser surgery on a foot just 48 hours before the game. Kerri Thomas, who has been plagued by knee trouble all season, made only her second start of the campaign, the first having been way back on 12th October against the same opponents. She found herself playing in the unfamiliar position of centre back, covering for Hinz. Meanwhile Hinz was named as substitute goalkeeper in case Prior’s foot became too painful to continue.
The first quarter of an hour was fairly even, with the two old rivals sizing each other up and matching each other strike for strike, but Harlow gradually began to gain the ascendancy as the half wore on with Prior being the busier of the two goalkeepers. Smith was forced to leave the field in the 17th minute but returned to the fray after lengthy treatment to her knee.
As the half drew to a close East Thurrock stepped up a gear and Katie Wilson, Lucy Cooper and Kealy Farley all went close. With just a couple of minutes to go, Sophie Dowman played a neat one-two with Wilson but shot wide.
The Rockettes continued where they left off after the break and took the lead after just three minutes. Smith took a throw on the right and Farley crossed to Laura Stone who controlled the ball on her chest before beating the ‘keeper. She could have added a second six minutes later but shot wide after intercepting a poor goal kick.
In the 59th minute Smith bowed to the inevitable and left the field for good. With Hinz’s own injury preventing her from playing an outfield role, East Thurrock were left to play out the last half hour with only 10 players.
Despite their numerical disadvantage the visitors continued to press forward and missed another golden opportunity to sew up the game after 62 minutes. Dowman collected Jess Tuffen’s long goal kick and crossed to Cooper who missed with the goal at her mercy. They were soon to regret that lost chance as Harlow began to come back at them.
The home side finally seized their chance after 71 minutes, taking advantage of poor East Thurrock defending to send a high shot past Prior to level the score. The game continued to ebb and flow with Dowman and Georgia Allen going close for the Rockettes and Harlow threatening with a couple of free kicks before Allen thwarted their final assault with a great tackle.
It ended 1-1, a scoreline that East Thurrock would gladly have accepted before the start, yet they were left ruing those missed chances and thinking of what might have been. This was a superb, backs-to-the-wall performance in the face of great adversity. The injured players now have two weeks to get themselves fit for the next game – the small matter of the League Cup final against Havering at Maldon Town FC.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Kerri Thomas, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Sub not used: Chelsea Hinz
Leigh Rockets (A) 26th April, 2009 (played at Rookery Hill)
Leigh Rockets 2 - East Thurrock United Ladies 5 Rebecca Tyrie (32 mins) Kealy Farley (38 mins, 45+3 mins, 60mins)
Abbie Hollybone (56 mins) Sophie Dowman (49 mins), Laura Stone (80 mins)
Less than a day after watching their male counterparts have the Ryman League Championship snatched from their grasp, the Rockettes made sure they would not make the same mistake. Their comfortable win over Leigh Rockets took them beyond the reach of Stevenage Borough and Harlow Town and ensured the Essex County Girls U18 Division 1 title will be coming to Rookery Hill with two games to spare.
East Thurrock edged Leigh 1-0 in a very close contest earlier this month and for the first half hour it looked as if this game might be just as close. The Rockettes suffered an early setback when centre back Chelsea Hinz was forced off after only six minutes with a foot injury. She was replaced by Sophie Drake. They survived a scare when goalkeeper Layla Prior foiled a three-on-one attack in the 28th minute, but the ‘keeper was powerless four minutes later when an elementary defensive error allowed Rebecca Tyrie to put Leigh ahead with a soft goal.
That shock was the wake-up call that East Thurrock needed and it took them only six minutes to level the scores. Laura Stone found Katie Wilson on the edge of the penalty box and her square pass was fired home by Kealy Farley. They continued to press forward and on the stroke of half time the Leigh defence failed to clear a Georgia Allen cross from the left and Sophie Dowman laid the loose ball back for Farley to collect her second. Incredibly they could have made it three by the break as a high lob from Stone deceived the ‘keeper, bounced up onto the underside of the crossbar, came back down on the goal line and was scooped away to safety.
The third goal came just four minutes after the restart. Stone found herself out on the right wing and crossed to Dowman at the far post who turned through a full 360 degrees before stabbing the ball into the net for her 31st competitive goal of the season. Leigh were not done yet ‘though and a poor clearance was gleefully volleyed into the goal by Abbie Hollybone to reduce the deficit back to one goal.
Having drawn last Sunday at Stevenage Borough when a win would have sealed the title, the Rockettes were in no mood to miss another chance to secure the crown. On the hour they won a corner on the right and Allen’s kick found Farley who completed her hat trick with a shot that went in off the post. With ten minutes to go Stone put the match beyond doubt when she played a one-two with substitute Kerri Thomas and scored with a thunderous drive from thirty yards.
The final whistle triggered wild celebrations from the East Thurrock players, coaches and supporters who now turn their attention to the League Cup final with Havering on 17th May.
East Thurrock edged Leigh 1-0 in a very close contest earlier this month and for the first half hour it looked as if this game might be just as close. The Rockettes suffered an early setback when centre back Chelsea Hinz was forced off after only six minutes with a foot injury. She was replaced by Sophie Drake. They survived a scare when goalkeeper Layla Prior foiled a three-on-one attack in the 28th minute, but the ‘keeper was powerless four minutes later when an elementary defensive error allowed Rebecca Tyrie to put Leigh ahead with a soft goal.
That shock was the wake-up call that East Thurrock needed and it took them only six minutes to level the scores. Laura Stone found Katie Wilson on the edge of the penalty box and her square pass was fired home by Kealy Farley. They continued to press forward and on the stroke of half time the Leigh defence failed to clear a Georgia Allen cross from the left and Sophie Dowman laid the loose ball back for Farley to collect her second. Incredibly they could have made it three by the break as a high lob from Stone deceived the ‘keeper, bounced up onto the underside of the crossbar, came back down on the goal line and was scooped away to safety.
The third goal came just four minutes after the restart. Stone found herself out on the right wing and crossed to Dowman at the far post who turned through a full 360 degrees before stabbing the ball into the net for her 31st competitive goal of the season. Leigh were not done yet ‘though and a poor clearance was gleefully volleyed into the goal by Abbie Hollybone to reduce the deficit back to one goal.
Having drawn last Sunday at Stevenage Borough when a win would have sealed the title, the Rockettes were in no mood to miss another chance to secure the crown. On the hour they won a corner on the right and Allen’s kick found Farley who completed her hat trick with a shot that went in off the post. With ten minutes to go Stone put the match beyond doubt when she played a one-two with substitute Kerri Thomas and scored with a thunderous drive from thirty yards.
The final whistle triggered wild celebrations from the East Thurrock players, coaches and supporters who now turn their attention to the League Cup final with Havering on 17th May.
Team:
Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea
Hinz (Sophie Drake, 6 mins), Georgia Allen; Tia
Hart (Lucy Cooper, 55 mins), Laura Stone, Katie Wilson (Kerri Thomas, 63 mins), Hayley Williamson; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Stevenage Borough (A) 19th April, 2009
Stevenage Borough 0 - East Thurrock United Ladies0 The Rockettes went into this game with the knowledge that three points would give them the championship and with the memory of an 8-0 victory on their last visit to this ground. They started the game with the advantage of playing with the wind at their backs and down the slope but found a far more resilient and determined Boro’ side than on that previous encounter. With Harlow Town falling away, Stevenage have taken over the mantle of runners-up elect, and with a mathematical, if unrealistic, chance of beating East Thurrock to the title.
The visitors just about edged the first half with Laura Stone and Kealy Farley creating chances but no clear-cut scoring opportunities for either side. Hayley Williamson had a chance early in the second half before making way for Lucy Cooper just past the hour mark.
The Rockettes found themselves under increasing pressure as Boro’ took a stranglehold on the midfield and drove forward with increasing confidence. Resolute defending kept the match scoreless, together with a large slice of luck when Boro’ struck a post near the end. As the match moved into stoppage time East Thurrock could have grabbed a last gasp, and perhaps unjust, winner as a move involving Katie Wilson, Cooper and Farley presented Tia Hart with the chance to shoot but the home ‘keeper made a comfortable save.
A point wasn’t really the result that either side was looking for but, on reflection, the Rockettes would probably be more satisfied with the result than Boro.
The visitors just about edged the first half with Laura Stone and Kealy Farley creating chances but no clear-cut scoring opportunities for either side. Hayley Williamson had a chance early in the second half before making way for Lucy Cooper just past the hour mark.
The Rockettes found themselves under increasing pressure as Boro’ took a stranglehold on the midfield and drove forward with increasing confidence. Resolute defending kept the match scoreless, together with a large slice of luck when Boro’ struck a post near the end. As the match moved into stoppage time East Thurrock could have grabbed a last gasp, and perhaps unjust, winner as a move involving Katie Wilson, Cooper and Farley presented Tia Hart with the chance to shoot but the home ‘keeper made a comfortable save.
A point wasn’t really the result that either side was looking for but, on reflection, the Rockettes would probably be more satisfied with the result than Boro.
Team:
Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea
Hinz, Georgia Allen; Hayley Williamson (Lucy Cooper, 62 mins), Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia
Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Leigh Rockets (H) 8th April, 2009
East Thurrock United Ladies 1 - Leigh Rockets 0 Kealy Farley (79 mins)
In a tightly contested game with few clear cut goal scoring opportunities the Rockettes moved to within three points of securing the league title on Wednesday evening. Stevenage Borough and Harlow Town are now the only sides with a mathematical chance of overhauling the Corringham girls but an East Thurrock win when they travel to Stevenage for their next match on 19th April will put them beyond reach with three games to spare.
The first half was a cagey affair with both sides sizing each other up and largely cancelling each other out. If anything Leigh looked slightly the better side as the half wore on but the Rockettes had two guilt-edged chances to score, one at either end of the half. In the fifth minute Sophie Dowman found herself with a clear sight of goal but the Leigh ‘keeper pulled off a fine save to her right. Then, with three minutes to half time, Dowman blasted wide when a simple side foot would have found the back of the net.
The second half was quite similar with Dowman, Kealy Farley and Laura Stone all spurning good chances by shooting straight at the ‘keeper. Home ‘keeper Layla Prior kept her side in the match by rushing off her line to make a brave save at the feet of a Leigh forward.
Just as we thought we were going to witness the Rockettes’ first ever scoreless draw it turned into their first 1-0 win. From a scrappy piece of play on the left that appeared to be going nowhere, Farley cut inside and managed to toe poke the ball past the ‘keeper at the near post.
The goal came with just eleven minutes left and the young Leigh side, who had battled every inch of the way, were entitled to feel disappointed. On the balance of chances created ‘though the Rockettes were just worth their win, but it was a close run thing.
East Thurrock gambled on scheduling this match despite knowing that several players would not be available. Stone pulled a hamstring early in the first half but with no subs available she soldiered on to the end. They played out the last ten minutes with only ten girls after Emma Smith was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury. Lucy Cooper took over Smith’s defensive duties with Farley dropping back into midfield.
The first half was a cagey affair with both sides sizing each other up and largely cancelling each other out. If anything Leigh looked slightly the better side as the half wore on but the Rockettes had two guilt-edged chances to score, one at either end of the half. In the fifth minute Sophie Dowman found herself with a clear sight of goal but the Leigh ‘keeper pulled off a fine save to her right. Then, with three minutes to half time, Dowman blasted wide when a simple side foot would have found the back of the net.
The second half was quite similar with Dowman, Kealy Farley and Laura Stone all spurning good chances by shooting straight at the ‘keeper. Home ‘keeper Layla Prior kept her side in the match by rushing off her line to make a brave save at the feet of a Leigh forward.
Just as we thought we were going to witness the Rockettes’ first ever scoreless draw it turned into their first 1-0 win. From a scrappy piece of play on the left that appeared to be going nowhere, Farley cut inside and managed to toe poke the ball past the ‘keeper at the near post.
The goal came with just eleven minutes left and the young Leigh side, who had battled every inch of the way, were entitled to feel disappointed. On the balance of chances created ‘though the Rockettes were just worth their win, but it was a close run thing.
East Thurrock gambled on scheduling this match despite knowing that several players would not be available. Stone pulled a hamstring early in the first half but with no subs available she soldiered on to the end. They played out the last ten minutes with only ten girls after Emma Smith was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury. Lucy Cooper took over Smith’s defensive duties with Farley dropping back into midfield.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Hayley Williamson, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Barking Ladies (A) 29th March, 2009 [ECGFL Cup - Semi Final]
Barking Ladies 1 - East Thurrock United Ladies 3Hayley Piggott (32 mins) Kealy Farley (4 mins), Sophie Dowman (52 mins), Laura Stone (90+3 mins)(55 mins)
The Rockettes stormed into their first ever cup final with a hard fought win at Barking on Sunday morning. Whilst Barking were placed in Division Two at the start of the season, most people believe that they are one of the strongest U18 teams in the league and so it proved as they gave East Thurrock their toughest game of the year by far.
Rockettes got the match off to a dream start as Kealy Farly put them ahead after just four minutes following a neat interchange on the right between Hayley Williamson and Katie Wilson. Barking should have drawn level five minutes later when they found themselves with a three-on-two break, but ‘keeper Layla Prior narrowed the angle enough to force their impressive #10 to shoot into the side netting. Having survived that scare, East Thurrock set about extending their advantage and Farley, Sophie Dowman and Laura Stone all went close with good chances.
All went well until just past the half hour mark when Chelsea Hinz was harshly adjudged to have fouled just outside the penalty area. Hayley Piggott stepped up a fire a peach of a free kick over the wall and into the top corner of the goal. Having got back on equal terms, Barking then hit a real purple patch up to the half time break and East Thurrock were forced to defend in depth to avoid going behind.
Five minutes into the second half the Rockettes introduced the speedy Lucy Cooper on the left and within two minutes she played a part as Dowman restored the lead with a neat finish. This set the scene for a nail biting 40 minutes for those on the sidelines.
With 66 minutes on the clock Barking’s #15 shot wide when clean through on goal but then it was their turn for a let off when the referee failed to penalise an apparent hand ball that would have given East Thurrock a penalty. With two minutes of normal time remaining Barking curled a corner kick onto the top of the Rockettes’ crossbar but that was to prove to be their last chance to save the game.
Three minutes into stoppage time the Rockettes won a corner of their own on the right. Left back Georgia Allen picked out Stone on the penalty spot with pinpoint accuracy and she headed powerfully beyond the reach of the home ‘keeper. The goal sparked wild celebrations amongst the visiting players and supporters alike and a bottle of champagne was produced at the final whistle.
In the minutes after the game, news came through that Havering had achieved a shock result in the other semi final by overcoming Harlow 3-1. East Thurrock and Havering will meet in the final at Maldon Town FC on Sunday, 17th May.
Rockettes got the match off to a dream start as Kealy Farly put them ahead after just four minutes following a neat interchange on the right between Hayley Williamson and Katie Wilson. Barking should have drawn level five minutes later when they found themselves with a three-on-two break, but ‘keeper Layla Prior narrowed the angle enough to force their impressive #10 to shoot into the side netting. Having survived that scare, East Thurrock set about extending their advantage and Farley, Sophie Dowman and Laura Stone all went close with good chances.
All went well until just past the half hour mark when Chelsea Hinz was harshly adjudged to have fouled just outside the penalty area. Hayley Piggott stepped up a fire a peach of a free kick over the wall and into the top corner of the goal. Having got back on equal terms, Barking then hit a real purple patch up to the half time break and East Thurrock were forced to defend in depth to avoid going behind.
Five minutes into the second half the Rockettes introduced the speedy Lucy Cooper on the left and within two minutes she played a part as Dowman restored the lead with a neat finish. This set the scene for a nail biting 40 minutes for those on the sidelines.
With 66 minutes on the clock Barking’s #15 shot wide when clean through on goal but then it was their turn for a let off when the referee failed to penalise an apparent hand ball that would have given East Thurrock a penalty. With two minutes of normal time remaining Barking curled a corner kick onto the top of the Rockettes’ crossbar but that was to prove to be their last chance to save the game.
Three minutes into stoppage time the Rockettes won a corner of their own on the right. Left back Georgia Allen picked out Stone on the penalty spot with pinpoint accuracy and she headed powerfully beyond the reach of the home ‘keeper. The goal sparked wild celebrations amongst the visiting players and supporters alike and a bottle of champagne was produced at the final whistle.
In the minutes after the game, news came through that Havering had achieved a shock result in the other semi final by overcoming Harlow 3-1. East Thurrock and Havering will meet in the final at Maldon Town FC on Sunday, 17th May.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith (Sophie Drake, 71 mins), Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Hayley Williamson, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart (Lucy Cooper, 50 mins); Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Harlow Town (H) 8th March, 2009
East Thurrock United Ladies 3 - Harlow Town 2Laura Stone (15 mins) Dempsey Favell (17 mins)
Sophie Dowman (35 mins) Jemma Goode (55 mins)
Georgia Allen (45 mins)
The Rockettes took a significant step towards the league title when they defeated their closest rivals Harlow Town in a keenly contested game at Rookery Hill. These two teams will meet twice more before the end of the season and are also on course to contest the League Cup Final on 17th May. By then one of them will be looking to do the double.
Before the kick off a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the father of a Harlow player who died suddenly a few days before the game. Courageously, the player concerned played the entire 90 minutes.
There was a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch and the home side were able to use that to their advantage in the first half. They started brightly and took the game to Harlow, winning a succession of corners on the right in the opening minutes. However, despite this early pressure the visitor’s goal remained intact until the 15th minute when home skipper Courtney McGovern won a tackle on the right and set up Laura Stone for a long range shot that bounced awkwardly in front of the ‘keeper and found the back of the net.
The goal galvanised Harlow into action and it took them just a couple of minutes to draw level, Dempsey Favell running through virtually unopposed after the home defence stopped in expectation of an offside whistle. The offside player was clearly not interfering with play and referee Mark Bradshaw confirmed the goal after consulting with the linesman.
Harlow still found the greater part of the play taking place in their half of the pitch but they defended well and counter attacked when they got the opportunity. East Thurrock took the lead for the second time when Stone got her head to a Harlow goal kick and directed the ball into the path of Sophie Dowman who beat the ‘keeper with a rasping drive.
Once again it looked as if Harlow would equalise immediately when home ‘keeper Layla Prior, who had been a spectator for most of the half, played a back pass straight to a Harlow player but the shot brushed the outside of the post and the Rockettes breathed again. Moments later Dowman had a guilt edged chance to extend the lead after stealing possession, but her shot flew just wide.
Doubtless Harlow were hoping to hold out until half time and it was their turn to breathe a sigh of relief when Stone headed against the near post from a right wing corner on 45 minutes. The reprieve was short lived though as a second corner kick was played short and Georgia Allen was able to use the fierce wind to help curl the ball into the far corner of the goal from wide on the wing. 3-1 at half time.
The Rockettes knew that Harlow would be a tougher proposition in the second half as they would now have the benefit of the wind as a twelfth player. They suffered a setback early on when Hayley Williamson was forced to leave the field and was replaced by Lucy Cooper. Williamson had almost been knocked unconscious when struck on the side of the head by the ball earlier in the match and later required hospital treatment.
As anticipated, the home goal was soon under pressure and ten minutes into the half Harlow won a free kick on the left corner of the penalty area. Jemma Goode stepped up to bend the sweetest of kicks beyond Prior’s fingertips into the far top corner of the goal.
Sensing an opportunity to draw level, Harlow now seemed to step up a gear and continued to take the game to East Thurrock. However it certainly wasn’t one way traffic and the Rockettes were able to worry the Harlow defence on a regular basis. In the event there were to be no more goals and the home side emerged victorious after a nerve jangling six minutes of added time.
On a day when the relevance of football was put into its true perspective, East Thurrock will be satisfied with their morning’s work. As well as two more games against Harlow, they will also meet Stevenage Borough and Leigh Rockets twice more.
Before the kick off a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the father of a Harlow player who died suddenly a few days before the game. Courageously, the player concerned played the entire 90 minutes.
There was a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch and the home side were able to use that to their advantage in the first half. They started brightly and took the game to Harlow, winning a succession of corners on the right in the opening minutes. However, despite this early pressure the visitor’s goal remained intact until the 15th minute when home skipper Courtney McGovern won a tackle on the right and set up Laura Stone for a long range shot that bounced awkwardly in front of the ‘keeper and found the back of the net.
The goal galvanised Harlow into action and it took them just a couple of minutes to draw level, Dempsey Favell running through virtually unopposed after the home defence stopped in expectation of an offside whistle. The offside player was clearly not interfering with play and referee Mark Bradshaw confirmed the goal after consulting with the linesman.
Harlow still found the greater part of the play taking place in their half of the pitch but they defended well and counter attacked when they got the opportunity. East Thurrock took the lead for the second time when Stone got her head to a Harlow goal kick and directed the ball into the path of Sophie Dowman who beat the ‘keeper with a rasping drive.
Once again it looked as if Harlow would equalise immediately when home ‘keeper Layla Prior, who had been a spectator for most of the half, played a back pass straight to a Harlow player but the shot brushed the outside of the post and the Rockettes breathed again. Moments later Dowman had a guilt edged chance to extend the lead after stealing possession, but her shot flew just wide.
Doubtless Harlow were hoping to hold out until half time and it was their turn to breathe a sigh of relief when Stone headed against the near post from a right wing corner on 45 minutes. The reprieve was short lived though as a second corner kick was played short and Georgia Allen was able to use the fierce wind to help curl the ball into the far corner of the goal from wide on the wing. 3-1 at half time.
The Rockettes knew that Harlow would be a tougher proposition in the second half as they would now have the benefit of the wind as a twelfth player. They suffered a setback early on when Hayley Williamson was forced to leave the field and was replaced by Lucy Cooper. Williamson had almost been knocked unconscious when struck on the side of the head by the ball earlier in the match and later required hospital treatment.
As anticipated, the home goal was soon under pressure and ten minutes into the half Harlow won a free kick on the left corner of the penalty area. Jemma Goode stepped up to bend the sweetest of kicks beyond Prior’s fingertips into the far top corner of the goal.
Sensing an opportunity to draw level, Harlow now seemed to step up a gear and continued to take the game to East Thurrock. However it certainly wasn’t one way traffic and the Rockettes were able to worry the Harlow defence on a regular basis. In the event there were to be no more goals and the home side emerged victorious after a nerve jangling six minutes of added time.
On a day when the relevance of football was put into its true perspective, East Thurrock will be satisfied with their morning’s work. As well as two more games against Harlow, they will also meet Stevenage Borough and Leigh Rockets twice more.
Team:
Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen,
Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Courtney McGovern, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Hayley Williamson (Lucy Cooper, 49 mins); Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Sub not used: Tia Hart
Ekco Whitecaps (A) 1st March, 2009 [ECGFL Cup - Quarter Final]
Ekco Whitecaps 1 - East Thurrock United Ladies 8(55 mins) Laura Stone (2 mins (pen), 47 mins, 78 mins, 83mins)
Kealy Farley (16 mins), Sophie Dowman (17 mins, 68 mins)
Hayley Williamson (58 mins)
East Thurrock United eased into the semi final of the U18 League Cup with a comfortable, if unspectacular, victory over Ekco Whitecaps on Sunday afternoon. With a championship six-pointer to come next Sunday, when archrivals Harlow Town visit Rookery Hill, East Thurrock went into this game with the simple aim of progressing to the next round and going home injury-free. They will play Barking in the semi-final on 29th March.
The entire Essex U18 Girls League separates these two teams with the Rockettes sitting on top of Division 1 and Whitecaps propping up Division 2. However, the home side rose to the challenge admirably and whatever they might have lacked in talent they more than made up for in effort and sheer determination.
The outcome of the match was never in doubt after the Whitecaps found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline within the first twenty minutes. Almost from the kick off East Thurrock forced a succession of corners on the left and the third of these was handled inexplicably by former Rockette, Justine Palmer. Laura Stone stepped forward to score the penalty kick with the watch barely into the second minute.
Nevertheless it took nearly quarter of an hour for the next goal to come as the Rockettes failed to settle into a rhythm and constantly lost possession with misplaced passes. When the breakthrough finally came it was from another set piece. Sophie Dowman was fouled just outside the penalty area and Chelsea Hinz floated the free kick onto the head of Kealy Farley who scored from five yards. Then, within seconds of the restart, Dowman ran through the home defence to make it three with a fine solo effort.
At this point it looked as if the floodgates would open, but nothing could have been further from the truth. The Rockettes have shown a frustrating tendency this season to play at their opponents level for long periods, whether good, bad or indifferent, and coaches Scott Farley and John Hinz were quite certain that this was their worst performance yet. Whitecaps players, officials and supporters greeted the half time whistle with celebrations worthy of cup winners, such was their satisfaction with the 3-0 scoreline. Meanwhile Farley tore into his players with a few home truths.
When Stone increased the lead in the second minute of the second half it looked as if the lambasting might have had some effect. Again the goal came from a set piece, this time as a result of the Whitecaps’ goalkeeper, who otherwise had a fine game, handling a back pass. Farley touched the ball to Stone who found the net at the second attempt after the ‘keeper had parried her initial effort. This was to be Farley’s last meaningful contribution to the game as she was withdrawn soon afterwards with an eye on next week’s match.
If Whitecaps had been pleased at half time, they were ecstatic after 55 minutes when sloppy defending on the right allowed them to pull a goal back. A comeback was never on the cards though and the four goal margin was quickly restored by substitute Hayley Williamson after good approach play on the left featuring Tia Hart and Dowman.
With just over twenty minutes remaining, the Rockettes finally showed a glimpse of the class that they are capable of with a superbly worked goal. The move started with Hinz at the back playing a square ball for Jess Tuffen who found Georgia Allen overlapping down the left wing. Allen’s cross was flicked on by Williamson for Dowman to drive the ball home. Sadly that quality of play could not be sustained, but there was still time for Stone to take her personal tally to four goals with Hinz and Dowman combining in the build up both times.
The Rockettes remain an enigma, capable of playing breathtaking football one week and churning out turgid mediocrity the next. Coaches Farley and Hinz will be hoping that the visit of Harlow will inspire the former next week.
The entire Essex U18 Girls League separates these two teams with the Rockettes sitting on top of Division 1 and Whitecaps propping up Division 2. However, the home side rose to the challenge admirably and whatever they might have lacked in talent they more than made up for in effort and sheer determination.
The outcome of the match was never in doubt after the Whitecaps found themselves on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline within the first twenty minutes. Almost from the kick off East Thurrock forced a succession of corners on the left and the third of these was handled inexplicably by former Rockette, Justine Palmer. Laura Stone stepped forward to score the penalty kick with the watch barely into the second minute.
Nevertheless it took nearly quarter of an hour for the next goal to come as the Rockettes failed to settle into a rhythm and constantly lost possession with misplaced passes. When the breakthrough finally came it was from another set piece. Sophie Dowman was fouled just outside the penalty area and Chelsea Hinz floated the free kick onto the head of Kealy Farley who scored from five yards. Then, within seconds of the restart, Dowman ran through the home defence to make it three with a fine solo effort.
At this point it looked as if the floodgates would open, but nothing could have been further from the truth. The Rockettes have shown a frustrating tendency this season to play at their opponents level for long periods, whether good, bad or indifferent, and coaches Scott Farley and John Hinz were quite certain that this was their worst performance yet. Whitecaps players, officials and supporters greeted the half time whistle with celebrations worthy of cup winners, such was their satisfaction with the 3-0 scoreline. Meanwhile Farley tore into his players with a few home truths.
When Stone increased the lead in the second minute of the second half it looked as if the lambasting might have had some effect. Again the goal came from a set piece, this time as a result of the Whitecaps’ goalkeeper, who otherwise had a fine game, handling a back pass. Farley touched the ball to Stone who found the net at the second attempt after the ‘keeper had parried her initial effort. This was to be Farley’s last meaningful contribution to the game as she was withdrawn soon afterwards with an eye on next week’s match.
If Whitecaps had been pleased at half time, they were ecstatic after 55 minutes when sloppy defending on the right allowed them to pull a goal back. A comeback was never on the cards though and the four goal margin was quickly restored by substitute Hayley Williamson after good approach play on the left featuring Tia Hart and Dowman.
With just over twenty minutes remaining, the Rockettes finally showed a glimpse of the class that they are capable of with a superbly worked goal. The move started with Hinz at the back playing a square ball for Jess Tuffen who found Georgia Allen overlapping down the left wing. Allen’s cross was flicked on by Williamson for Dowman to drive the ball home. Sadly that quality of play could not be sustained, but there was still time for Stone to take her personal tally to four goals with Hinz and Dowman combining in the build up both times.
The Rockettes remain an enigma, capable of playing breathtaking football one week and churning out turgid mediocrity the next. Coaches Farley and Hinz will be hoping that the visit of Harlow will inspire the former next week.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Courtney McGovern, Jess Tuffen, Georgia Allen; Chelsea Hinz, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley (Hayley Williamson, 52 mins), Sophie Dowman.
Colchester Town (A) 22nd February, 2009
Colchester Town 0 - East Thurrock United Ladies 16 Kealy Farley (2 mins, 26 mins, 31 mins, 67 mins, 78 mins, 88mins)
Sophie Dowman (10 mins, 19 mins, 45 mins)
Lucy Cooper (14 mins, 56 mins, 68 mins, 82 mins)
Kerri Thomas (70 mins), Laura Stone (80 mins, 84 mins)
Sophie Dowman (10 mins, 19 mins, 45 mins)
Lucy Cooper (14 mins, 56 mins, 68 mins, 82 mins)
Kerri Thomas (70 mins), Laura Stone (80 mins, 84 mins)
The Rockettes got this crazy stop-start season underway again with a convincing win against a weakened Colchester team. After a three week lay-off it took a while for the Corringham girls to regain their fluent style, but that didn’t stop them running in 16 goals without reply. With the Rockettes seemingly able to create chances at will, the score could have been doubled with a little more composure in front of goal.
Kealy Farley opened the scoring after two minutes with strike partner Sophie Dowman providing the assist. Dowman was next on the score sheet, going one on one against the goalkeeper after collecting a long ball through the middle. She could have doubled her tally a minute later, but shot over the bar from a Hayley Williamson corner when it had to be easier to score. It didn’t matter that much as Lucy Cooper, who had also been guilty of a couple of glaring misses, fired Williamson’s next corner into the roof of the net to make the score 3-0 after 14 minutes.
Dowman added another goal when she cut in from the left and then Katie Wilson and Dowman combined to set up Farley’s second. Farley completed her hat-trick from another Dowman assist just past the half hour mark and Dowman matched her achievement on the stroke of half time. 7-0 to East Thurrock United.
Dowman complained of a slight thigh strain at half time and, with an important game against Harlow Town on the horizon, she was one of three players withdrawn in a triple substitution early in the second half. Cooper was pushed forward to partner Farley, with Tia Hart taking her place on the right of midfield. Cooper soon took the opportunity to make the most of her new role, pouncing on a loose ball from the home defence to open the second half scoring in the 56th minute.
As their superior fitness began to tell, the Rockettes scored a further eight goals in a superb 21 minute spell. Farley began the spree with a shot on the turn from 25 yards. Cooper followed this up with a rare headed goal from Georgia Allen’s left wing cross and then substitute Kerri Thomas got in on the act with a 15 yard drive from a Williamson cross.
Farley scored her fifth goal of the match when she collected a long clearance from goalkeeper Layla Prior, advanced on goal, shot against the crossbar and then rifled home the rebound. With ten minutes left regular scorer Laura Stone finally got on the score sheet with a solo effort from midfield.
With 82 minutes on the watch Cooper cut in from the right wing to score one of her trademark near post goals and take her tally on the day to four. Stone notched her second a couple of minutes later after collecting a pass from Thomas and Farley clinched a double hat-trick after the home ‘keeper had parried Stone’s effort from Hart’s cross.
As always, the Colchester girls fought to the very end of the match. Just five weeks ago they restricted East Thurrock to a 5-1 scoreline when they had their full squad available.
The Rockettes will be hoping for more of the same next Sunday when they visit Ekco Whitecaps – bottom of Division Two – in the League Cup.
Kealy Farley opened the scoring after two minutes with strike partner Sophie Dowman providing the assist. Dowman was next on the score sheet, going one on one against the goalkeeper after collecting a long ball through the middle. She could have doubled her tally a minute later, but shot over the bar from a Hayley Williamson corner when it had to be easier to score. It didn’t matter that much as Lucy Cooper, who had also been guilty of a couple of glaring misses, fired Williamson’s next corner into the roof of the net to make the score 3-0 after 14 minutes.
Dowman added another goal when she cut in from the left and then Katie Wilson and Dowman combined to set up Farley’s second. Farley completed her hat-trick from another Dowman assist just past the half hour mark and Dowman matched her achievement on the stroke of half time. 7-0 to East Thurrock United.
Dowman complained of a slight thigh strain at half time and, with an important game against Harlow Town on the horizon, she was one of three players withdrawn in a triple substitution early in the second half. Cooper was pushed forward to partner Farley, with Tia Hart taking her place on the right of midfield. Cooper soon took the opportunity to make the most of her new role, pouncing on a loose ball from the home defence to open the second half scoring in the 56th minute.
As their superior fitness began to tell, the Rockettes scored a further eight goals in a superb 21 minute spell. Farley began the spree with a shot on the turn from 25 yards. Cooper followed this up with a rare headed goal from Georgia Allen’s left wing cross and then substitute Kerri Thomas got in on the act with a 15 yard drive from a Williamson cross.
Farley scored her fifth goal of the match when she collected a long clearance from goalkeeper Layla Prior, advanced on goal, shot against the crossbar and then rifled home the rebound. With ten minutes left regular scorer Laura Stone finally got on the score sheet with a solo effort from midfield.
With 82 minutes on the watch Cooper cut in from the right wing to score one of her trademark near post goals and take her tally on the day to four. Stone notched her second a couple of minutes later after collecting a pass from Thomas and Farley clinched a double hat-trick after the home ‘keeper had parried Stone’s effort from Hart’s cross.
As always, the Colchester girls fought to the very end of the match. Just five weeks ago they restricted East Thurrock to a 5-1 scoreline when they had their full squad available.
The Rockettes will be hoping for more of the same next Sunday when they visit Ekco Whitecaps – bottom of Division Two – in the League Cup.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith (Courtney McGovern, 54 mins), Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson (Kerri Thomas, 54 mins), Hayley Williamson; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman (Tia Hart, 54 mins).
Stevenage Borough (A) 1st February, 2009
Stevenage Borough 0 - East Thurrock United Ladies 8 Sophie Dowman (19 mins, 46 mins, 68 mins)
Katie Wilson (25 mins), Laura Stone (33 mins, 63 mins)
Hayley Williamson (39 mins), Kealy Farley (58 mins)
Inspired by the men’s team’s 7-0 demolition of Ware the previous afternoon, East Thurrock United Ladies went one better as they put eight goals past Ware’s near neighbours, Stevenage Borough. The match was played on a very wet pitch that was barely playable and with a biting gale force wind blowing straight down the ground.
The Rockettes started the game playing with the wind and down the slope but it was Boro who made the first significant move of the match after ten minutes, forcing goalkeeper Layla Prior to save bravely at the feet of a home forward on the very edge of her box. The action quickly switched to the other end and within seconds the Boro ‘keeper was forced to fling herself across her goal to push a shot from Sophie Dowman around the post.
By now most of the action was taking place in the Boro half of the pitch and Dowman broke the deadlock in the 19th minute after a neat interchange on the left with Georgia Allen. The home side were still dangerous on the break and Prior preserved the lead three minutes later when she rushed out of goal to clear a through ball off the toe of a Boro forward.
With 25 minutes gone, East Thurrock doubled their lead when a poor clearance fell perfectly for Katie Wilson and the home ‘keeper could only help her strike into the roof of the net. Laura Stone made it 3-0 on 33 minutes with a fine drive from the left after beating two players and Hayley Williamson struck from a similar position in the 39th minute after collecting a wind assisted clearance from Prior.
Snow flurries greeted the players as they started the second half, but that didn’t stop Lucy Cooper running twenty five yards into the teeth of the gale before delivering an inch perfect cross to the unmarked Dowman who finished from the edge of the goal area with only seconds on the watch.
With the wind now at their backs, Boro continued to threaten on the breakaway but the closest they came to scoring was a shot that Prior tipped over the bar superbly after a poor goal kick had gifted the chance. Kealy Farley soon got on the score sheet when she converted Dowman’s cross after 58 minutes and the two combined again five minutes later to make the score 7-0. This time it was Dowman who had the final shot but the ‘keeper parried and Stone was on hand to snap up the rebound.
Fittingly, the final goal fell to Dowman who completed yet another hat-trick with a great solo effort that takes her on to 23 goals from nine league games. There were more thrills and spills, and some excellent football, but the swamp-like pitch sapped the strength from even the strongest legs and the last 22 minutes were goalless.
At the end the Rockettes were well worth their 8-0 win. This was an excellent performance in very tricky conditions and the defence will take great satisfaction from finally keeping a clean sheet in a league game. So far the Corringham girls are 64-10 on aggregate from nine league and seeding group games.
Team:
Layla Prior; Emma Smith (Courtney McGovern, 63 mins), Jess Tuffen, Chelsea
Hinz, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper (Kerri Thomas, 51 mins), Laura
Stone, Katie Wilson, Hayley Williamson (Tia Hart, 63 mins); Kealy
Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Colchester Town (A) 18th January, 2009
Colchester Town 1 - East Thurrock United Ladies 5Steph Lodge (34 mins) Kealy Farley (14 mins, 38 mins)
Sophie Dowman (33 mins, 78 mins)
Georgia Allen (89 mins)
After a seven week lay-off because of weather postponements either side of the Christmas break, it was no surprise that the Rockettes looked a bit rusty when they travelled to Colchester Town on Sunday morning. Their last match had been a 15-1 home drubbing of the same opponents on 23rd November, but it was apparent right from the off that there would be no repeat of that result. Colchester were able to field a stronger team than in the previous encounter and even ‘though East Thurrock quickly established a territorial advantage the home side were in no mood to roll over this time.
The visitors spurned several scoring opportunities before Kealy Farley broke the deadlock after 14 minutes when she collected a long ball from left back Georgia Allen and beat the ‘keeper from the left side of the box. If the goal broke the ice, it did nothing to steady the nerves in front of goal. It was another quarter of an hour before leading scorer Sophie Dowman doubled the lead after clever play from Jess Tuffen and Laura Stone. By that time the Rockettes had been forced to reshuffle their formation after right back Emma Smith, who had started strongly, was forced off with a shoulder injury. She was replaced by Hayley Williamson, who played on the right of midfield, with captain Courtney McGovern dropping to right back.
Within a minute of the restart Colchester reduced the arrears when midfielder Steph Lodge looped a wind assisted shot under the bar from the edge of the area. Williamson then had a superb chance to restore the two goal cushion but her shot came back off the far post and straight into the arms of the grateful ‘keeper. It didn’t matter ‘though as almost immediately McGovern set up Farley for her second of the match. 1-3 at half time.
With the strong wind now at their backs, East Thurrock started the second half with high hopes of finding their long range shooting boots. However the closest they were to come with shots from distance was an effort from Stone that struck the post in the 66th minute. For a long time it looked as if the half would remain goalless but Dowman finally broke the stalemate when she got on the end of Williamson’s cross with 12 minutes remaining. The best was yet to come ‘though. With one minute of regular time on the watch, left back Allen somehow popped up on the right wing and cut into the box to score her first goal for the club.
The Rockettes face a sterner test next Sunday when they welcome Harlow Town to Rookery Hill.
The visitors spurned several scoring opportunities before Kealy Farley broke the deadlock after 14 minutes when she collected a long ball from left back Georgia Allen and beat the ‘keeper from the left side of the box. If the goal broke the ice, it did nothing to steady the nerves in front of goal. It was another quarter of an hour before leading scorer Sophie Dowman doubled the lead after clever play from Jess Tuffen and Laura Stone. By that time the Rockettes had been forced to reshuffle their formation after right back Emma Smith, who had started strongly, was forced off with a shoulder injury. She was replaced by Hayley Williamson, who played on the right of midfield, with captain Courtney McGovern dropping to right back.
Within a minute of the restart Colchester reduced the arrears when midfielder Steph Lodge looped a wind assisted shot under the bar from the edge of the area. Williamson then had a superb chance to restore the two goal cushion but her shot came back off the far post and straight into the arms of the grateful ‘keeper. It didn’t matter ‘though as almost immediately McGovern set up Farley for her second of the match. 1-3 at half time.
With the strong wind now at their backs, East Thurrock started the second half with high hopes of finding their long range shooting boots. However the closest they were to come with shots from distance was an effort from Stone that struck the post in the 66th minute. For a long time it looked as if the half would remain goalless but Dowman finally broke the stalemate when she got on the end of Williamson’s cross with 12 minutes remaining. The best was yet to come ‘though. With one minute of regular time on the watch, left back Allen somehow popped up on the right wing and cut into the box to score her first goal for the club.
The Rockettes face a sterner test next Sunday when they welcome Harlow Town to Rookery Hill.
Team:
Layla Prior; Emma Smith (Hayley Williamson, 31 mins), Jess Tuffen, Chelsea
Hinz, Georgia Allen; Courtney McGovern, Laura
Stone (Kerri Thomas, 74 mins), Katie Wilson, Lucy Cooper (Tia Hart, 67 mins); Kealy
Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Colchester Town (H) 23rd November, 2008
East Thurrock United Ladies 15 - Colchester Town 1Laura Stone (5 mins, 6 mins, 8 mins) Kaytie Egan (33 mins)
Lucy Cooper (17 mins, 41 mins, 46 mins)
Sophie Dowman (20 mins, 57 mins, 64 mins)
Kealy Farley (44 mins, 61 mins)
Chelsea Hinz (52mins), Courtney McGovern (59 mins)
Kerri Thomas (76 mins), Hayley Williamson (90+1 mins)
Amidst snow and driving rain, the Rockettes went on the rampage against Colchester Town at Rookery Hill on Sunday morning. In all honesty the Rockettes were as awful as the conditions in the first five minutes of the game but a hat-trick from midfielder Laura Stone in the 5th, 6th and 8th minutes – all spectacular efforts – quickly transformed the situation and put them firmly in control.
It would have been easy for Colchester to cave in after this early onslaught but they were able to stabilise the situation and regroup for ten minutes before two goals in quick succession from Lucy Cooper and Sophie Dowman, both cutting in from the right, put the game out of reach with only twenty minutes on the clock.
After a difficult journey down the A12 from Colchester, the visitors were in no mood for a hiding. As the rain intensified they were able to disrupt the momentum of East Thurrock and managed to pull a surprise goal back after 33 minutes when Kaytie Egan sprang the offside trap and coolly chipped Layla Prior as she rushed off her goal line.
The respite didn’t last for long ‘though, and as half time approached East Thurrock were able to ease the lead out to 7-1 with two more goals in a three minute spell. Cooper scored her second of the game when she collected a pass from Katie Wilson and beat the ‘keeper at her near post and then Kealy Farley finally found the back of the net after several near misses.
Cooper started the second half as she had ended the first, completing her hat-trick after a left wing cross from Georgia Allen had evaded everyone in the box and skidded across to the right. She was replaced by Courtney McGovern soon after, having taken a knock to her ankle earlier in the game.
Centre back Chelsea Hinz headed the Rockettes even further ahead after Farley flicked on an Allen corner on 52 minutes and they then went on another scoring spree, adding four goals in a devastating seven minute spell. Dowman started and ended the sequence, the first a simple tap in after a defensive mix up and the second a splendid one-on-one run against the ‘keeper. In doing so she notched up her fourth hat-trick in the last five league games. In between McGovern scored from long range after taking a pass from Stone and Farley smashed home a free kick from just outside the area.
A double substitution in the 70th minute saw Hayley Williamson replace Stone and Kerri Thomas replace Emma Smith, and it was these two who would take the score to 15-1. Thomas stabbed the ball home through a crowded goal area after 76 minutes and then thundered a shot against a post straight after the restart. The game then went a bit flat for the final quarter of an hour as standing water began to accumulate on the pitch. However, with five minutes to go the rain finally stopped and as Williamson lobbed a goal from long range in stoppage time the sun came out.
To their great credit, the players of Colchester Town never stopped fighting right to the end, despite conceding goals on a regular basis. In spite of the flattering scoreline, the Rockettes will know deep down that they were not at their best, with a host of missed chances and misplaced passes, and they will probably need to sharpen their act if they are to take three points in the crunch game at Harlow Town next Sunday. Will they ever keep a clean sheet in a league game this season? Harlow would be a good place to start!
It would have been easy for Colchester to cave in after this early onslaught but they were able to stabilise the situation and regroup for ten minutes before two goals in quick succession from Lucy Cooper and Sophie Dowman, both cutting in from the right, put the game out of reach with only twenty minutes on the clock.
After a difficult journey down the A12 from Colchester, the visitors were in no mood for a hiding. As the rain intensified they were able to disrupt the momentum of East Thurrock and managed to pull a surprise goal back after 33 minutes when Kaytie Egan sprang the offside trap and coolly chipped Layla Prior as she rushed off her goal line.
The respite didn’t last for long ‘though, and as half time approached East Thurrock were able to ease the lead out to 7-1 with two more goals in a three minute spell. Cooper scored her second of the game when she collected a pass from Katie Wilson and beat the ‘keeper at her near post and then Kealy Farley finally found the back of the net after several near misses.
Cooper started the second half as she had ended the first, completing her hat-trick after a left wing cross from Georgia Allen had evaded everyone in the box and skidded across to the right. She was replaced by Courtney McGovern soon after, having taken a knock to her ankle earlier in the game.
Centre back Chelsea Hinz headed the Rockettes even further ahead after Farley flicked on an Allen corner on 52 minutes and they then went on another scoring spree, adding four goals in a devastating seven minute spell. Dowman started and ended the sequence, the first a simple tap in after a defensive mix up and the second a splendid one-on-one run against the ‘keeper. In doing so she notched up her fourth hat-trick in the last five league games. In between McGovern scored from long range after taking a pass from Stone and Farley smashed home a free kick from just outside the area.
A double substitution in the 70th minute saw Hayley Williamson replace Stone and Kerri Thomas replace Emma Smith, and it was these two who would take the score to 15-1. Thomas stabbed the ball home through a crowded goal area after 76 minutes and then thundered a shot against a post straight after the restart. The game then went a bit flat for the final quarter of an hour as standing water began to accumulate on the pitch. However, with five minutes to go the rain finally stopped and as Williamson lobbed a goal from long range in stoppage time the sun came out.
To their great credit, the players of Colchester Town never stopped fighting right to the end, despite conceding goals on a regular basis. In spite of the flattering scoreline, the Rockettes will know deep down that they were not at their best, with a host of missed chances and misplaced passes, and they will probably need to sharpen their act if they are to take three points in the crunch game at Harlow Town next Sunday. Will they ever keep a clean sheet in a league game this season? Harlow would be a good place to start!
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith (Kerri Thomas, 70 mins), Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper (Courtney McGovern, 54 mins), Laura Stone (Hayley Williamson, 70 mins), Katie Wilson, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Leigh Rockets (A) 16th November, 2008
Leigh Rockets 1 - 6 East Thurrock United Ladies
Sophie Dowman (12 mins, 69 mins, 90 mins)
Kealy Farley (31 mins)
Laura Stone (49 mins, 80 mins (pen))
It was a case of déjà vu for the girls of East Thurrock United and Leigh Rockets as they found themselves facing each other on the same ground for the second successive Sunday. Having triumphed 4-0 in the League Cup encounter, fate pitted the Rockettes against the Rockets again on the opening day of the Essex County Girls U18 Football League Division 1 season. This game paired the winners of the two ‘seeding groups’ that decided the make up of the two divisions.
The weather gods did the teams no favours as the match started in wet and windy conditions on a very sticky pitch. East Thurrock, fielding the same starting eleven as the previous week, started the stronger and thought they had taken an early lead when Laura Stone netted after just nine minutes but her ‘goal’ was ruled offside.
Rockettes were not deterred by this early setback and it took only three more minutes for Sophie Dowman to put them ahead after a tackle by Emma Smith allowed Stone to cross. Having got this advantage they then seemed to struggle to keep their shape and composure in the difficult conditions, allowing Leigh Rockets back into the game. However, Kealy Farley was able to grab a second after 31 minutes to give the visitors a two goal cushion at the break.
With stern words from coaches Scott Farley and John Hinz ringing in their ears, the Rockettes started the second half a lot brighter, with a better shape producing some good football. Stone put them 3-0 up just four minutes into the half and this allowed them to settle down and take control of the game. Dowman added her second goal after 69 minutes, but a defensive slip up soon enabled Leigh Rockets to pull one back.
Even at 4-1 down the home side continued to fight and goalkeeper Layla Prior was forced to pull off some fine saves. However, East Thurrock killed the game off with two more goals in the final ten minutes.
Substitute Courtney McGovern won a throw deep in Leigh territory and the set play saw a push on Katie Wilson that resulted in a penalty for the Rockettes and a yellow card for Rocket’s #4. Stone made no mistake from the spot. As the game entered stoppage time, Dowman snapped up the opportunity to grab her third hat-trick of the regular season to make the final score 6-1.
This result puts East Thurrock top of the table on goal difference from Stevenage Borough who were 5-3 victors at Colchester. Harlow Town did not have a fixture.
Next Sunday the Rockettes host Colchester Town at Rookery Hill. Kick off is at 10:30.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart (Courtney McGovern, 69 mins); Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Rockettes were not deterred by this early setback and it took only three more minutes for Sophie Dowman to put them ahead after a tackle by Emma Smith allowed Stone to cross. Having got this advantage they then seemed to struggle to keep their shape and composure in the difficult conditions, allowing Leigh Rockets back into the game. However, Kealy Farley was able to grab a second after 31 minutes to give the visitors a two goal cushion at the break.
With stern words from coaches Scott Farley and John Hinz ringing in their ears, the Rockettes started the second half a lot brighter, with a better shape producing some good football. Stone put them 3-0 up just four minutes into the half and this allowed them to settle down and take control of the game. Dowman added her second goal after 69 minutes, but a defensive slip up soon enabled Leigh Rockets to pull one back.
Even at 4-1 down the home side continued to fight and goalkeeper Layla Prior was forced to pull off some fine saves. However, East Thurrock killed the game off with two more goals in the final ten minutes.
Substitute Courtney McGovern won a throw deep in Leigh territory and the set play saw a push on Katie Wilson that resulted in a penalty for the Rockettes and a yellow card for Rocket’s #4. Stone made no mistake from the spot. As the game entered stoppage time, Dowman snapped up the opportunity to grab her third hat-trick of the regular season to make the final score 6-1.
This result puts East Thurrock top of the table on goal difference from Stevenage Borough who were 5-3 victors at Colchester. Harlow Town did not have a fixture.
Next Sunday the Rockettes host Colchester Town at Rookery Hill. Kick off is at 10:30.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart (Courtney McGovern, 69 mins); Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Leigh Rockets (H) 9th November, 2008 [ECGFL Cup - Round 1]
(the match was played at Leigh Rockets after Rookery Hill was made unavailable)East Thurrock United Ladies 4 - Leigh Rockets 0
Kealy Farley (5 mins, 32 mins)
Laura Stone (45 mins, 82 mins)
Rockettes got their 2008-09 cup campaign underway with a convincing win over a competitive and well organised Leigh Rockets side. Overnight concerns about the condition of the pitch at Rookery Hill following the first team’s game against Enfield led to East Thurrock conceding home advantage to their opponents. The game was staged at Southend High School.
Despite the blustery conditions the Rockettes soon established the upper hand and a brace of goals from Kealy Farley, coupled with a strike by Laura Stone just before half time, saw the ‘home’ side leading 3-0 at the break. Midfielder Stone added a further goal in the second half, her seventh in six games, to take East Thurrock safely through to the quarter-final. That game will not be played until 1st March!
Club captain Courtney McGovern made a welcome return to the team when she replaced the injured Emma Smith for the final 20 minutes. McGovern has been out of action since suffering a serious wrist injury during the summer.
The Rockettes resume league action next Sunday with a visit to . . . Leigh Rockets!!!
Club captain Courtney McGovern made a welcome return to the team when she replaced the injured Emma Smith for the final 20 minutes. McGovern has been out of action since suffering a serious wrist injury during the summer.
The Rockettes resume league action next Sunday with a visit to . . . Leigh Rockets!!!
Team:
Layla
Prior;
Emma Smith (Courtney McGovern, 70 mins), Jess Tuffen, Chelsea
Hinz, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper (Sophie Drake, 55 mins), Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia
Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Stevenage Borough (H) 19th October, 2008
East Thurrock United Ladies 7 - Stevenage Borough 1Kealy Farley (2 mins) #14 (36 mins)
Sophie Dowman (13 mins, 26 mins, 45+1 mins, 61 mins, 75 mins)
Laura Stone (85 mins)
East Thurrock went into this game on Sunday still missing four regular players and with the squad stretched to breaking point. Tia Hart found herself in the unfamiliar role of right back while former left back Charley Sayer-Payne took Hart’s regular position on the left side of midfield. Right winger Lucy Cooper returned after missing the game against Harlow Town with an ankle injury.
As so often this season, the Rockettes got themselves off to a tremendous start despite the topsy-turvy line-up. With only two minutes gone Cooper crossed from the right and Kealy Farley was perfectly positioned to stab the ball home at the far post. The home side continued to press forward and went close again when Georgia Allen played a superb ball through to Farley who set up Cooper, but her mis-hit shot went wide. They made no mistake with their next attack ‘though as Farley caught the Boro’ captain in possession and passed to Sophie Dowman who drew the ‘keeper off her line and scored with ease.
Finding themselves 2-0 down with less than a quarter of an hour gone, Stevenage now went on the attack. First they shot wide, having broken through the home defence, then goalkeeper Layla Prior was forced into a double save to keep the red tide at bay. However, as so often happens in football, the attackers suddenly found themselves being attacked as the resulting clearance found Dowman with only the ‘keeper to beat. Inexplicably, she shot straight at her but Rockettes fans know that Dowman is never denied for long and she latched on to another long ball from Allen to make it 3-0 with a clinical finish after 26 minutes.
This time Stevenage did hit back. A long ball out of defence found #14 in acres of space and she drew Prior towards her before executing a perfect lob into the empty net to reduce the arrears. Encouraged by this, Boro’ continued to fight and #4 fired a powerful shot just wide after a good run. The Rockettes never give up ‘though and with seconds remaining in the first half Farley turned provider again to enable Dowman to complete another hat-trick.
The second half continued much like the first with the home side always the more likely to score but the visitors never able to be discounted. Laura Stone fired off a couple of long range sighting shots in the 56th minute and you felt that there would be more to come once she perfected her aim.
Just past the hour Jess Tuffen, who was having another superb game at the centre of the home defence, found Farley with a long pass and she flicked the ball to Dowman who beat two defenders before scoring again. Still not finished, she went on to score her fifth goal of the game with fifteen minutes remaining after Cooper had received a defence-splitting diagonal ball from Farley. This set the scene for Stone to round off the scoring with one of her trademark charging runs and a net-bursting finish five minutes from time.
This game ended the ‘seeding group’ stage of the season and left East Thurrock sharing top spot with Harlow Town. Action is due to resume on 2nd November, but at this stage it is unclear whether the League will continue with its plan to run two divisions or whether the 11 remaining teams will all play together. Whatever they decide, on the strength of what we have seen so far, only Harlow Town stand between Rockettes and some silverware this season.
Team:
Layla
Prior; Tia
Hart, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea
Hinz, Georgia Allen; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Charley Sayer-Payne (Kerri Thomas, 53 mins); Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.As so often this season, the Rockettes got themselves off to a tremendous start despite the topsy-turvy line-up. With only two minutes gone Cooper crossed from the right and Kealy Farley was perfectly positioned to stab the ball home at the far post. The home side continued to press forward and went close again when Georgia Allen played a superb ball through to Farley who set up Cooper, but her mis-hit shot went wide. They made no mistake with their next attack ‘though as Farley caught the Boro’ captain in possession and passed to Sophie Dowman who drew the ‘keeper off her line and scored with ease.
Finding themselves 2-0 down with less than a quarter of an hour gone, Stevenage now went on the attack. First they shot wide, having broken through the home defence, then goalkeeper Layla Prior was forced into a double save to keep the red tide at bay. However, as so often happens in football, the attackers suddenly found themselves being attacked as the resulting clearance found Dowman with only the ‘keeper to beat. Inexplicably, she shot straight at her but Rockettes fans know that Dowman is never denied for long and she latched on to another long ball from Allen to make it 3-0 with a clinical finish after 26 minutes.
This time Stevenage did hit back. A long ball out of defence found #14 in acres of space and she drew Prior towards her before executing a perfect lob into the empty net to reduce the arrears. Encouraged by this, Boro’ continued to fight and #4 fired a powerful shot just wide after a good run. The Rockettes never give up ‘though and with seconds remaining in the first half Farley turned provider again to enable Dowman to complete another hat-trick.
The second half continued much like the first with the home side always the more likely to score but the visitors never able to be discounted. Laura Stone fired off a couple of long range sighting shots in the 56th minute and you felt that there would be more to come once she perfected her aim.
Just past the hour Jess Tuffen, who was having another superb game at the centre of the home defence, found Farley with a long pass and she flicked the ball to Dowman who beat two defenders before scoring again. Still not finished, she went on to score her fifth goal of the game with fifteen minutes remaining after Cooper had received a defence-splitting diagonal ball from Farley. This set the scene for Stone to round off the scoring with one of her trademark charging runs and a net-bursting finish five minutes from time.
This game ended the ‘seeding group’ stage of the season and left East Thurrock sharing top spot with Harlow Town. Action is due to resume on 2nd November, but at this stage it is unclear whether the League will continue with its plan to run two divisions or whether the 11 remaining teams will all play together. Whatever they decide, on the strength of what we have seen so far, only Harlow Town stand between Rockettes and some silverware this season.
Harlow Town Girls (A) 12th October, 2008
Harlow Town Girls 2 - East Thurrock United Ladies 2 Sophie Dowman (1 min, 56 mins)
Billed ‘The Clash of the Titans’, this match pitted last year’s U16 Division B champions against the runners-up, and both teams went into the game with a maximum nine points and a goal difference of +17. East Thurrock topped the table by virtue of having scored 21 goals to Harlow’s 19.
The Rockettes welcomed Hayley Williamson and Kerri Thomas back from injury and new signing Georgia Allen made her debut at left back. However, with Courtney McGovern, Lucy Cooper and Sophie Drake still absent, former captain Charley Sayer-Payne travelled down from Scotland overnight to provide cover on the bench.
The Corringham girls took advantage of playing down the slope in the first half and got the match off to a dream start when Sophie Dowman and Kealy Farley combined to enable Dowman to give them the lead with only 40 seconds on the watch. To their credit, Harlow did not allow this early setback to knock them out of their stride and they pulled level on five minutes when the visitors failed to clear their lines and the loose ball was driven powerfully into the top corner of the goal.
After this initial flurry the match settled down into a game of cat and mouse with the home side generally having the upper hand by a small margin for the remainder of the half. Laura Stone fired a free kick just wide of the target on the quarter hour and soon afterwards Layla Prior made a brave save at the feet of a Harlow forward. Stone fizzed a loose ball wide again on 24 minutes and Harlow missed an equally good chance from a move down their left. The home side kept up the pressure towards the end of the half and Prior had to rush from her area to clear a through ball five minutes before the break.
The second half began with Harlow shooting over under pressure following a right wing corner. However East Thurrock now seemed quicker to ball and they gradually began to wrest control from their opponents. They got their reward in the 56th minute when good interplay down the left involving Tia Hart and Farley allowed Dowman to put them ahead again.
Clearly the two best teams in this age group, they continued to cancel each other out with few clear cut chances emerging for either side. Thomas shot into the side netting on 70 minutes, after a good run down the right flank, and then set up Dowman for a hat-trick but she shot over.
With just over five minutes remaining Harlow missed a gilt-edged chance to equalise when they broke through only to shoot directly at a grateful Prior. With one last push they won a corner on the right. Prior beat out the initial assault but the ball was driven back in at Williamson who was covering on the line. She stopped the ball with her knee but it deflected up onto her arm and away to safety. Referee Tim Ford pointed to the penalty spot and the home side won a fortunate reprieve with a perfectly executed spot kick.
This result maintained the status quo at the top of the table and both sides are now assured of a place in Division One when the League season starts for real. The Rockettes complete their ‘seeding group’ games when they entertain Stevenage Borough at Rookery Hill on Sunday. Kick off is at 10:30.
The Rockettes welcomed Hayley Williamson and Kerri Thomas back from injury and new signing Georgia Allen made her debut at left back. However, with Courtney McGovern, Lucy Cooper and Sophie Drake still absent, former captain Charley Sayer-Payne travelled down from Scotland overnight to provide cover on the bench.
The Corringham girls took advantage of playing down the slope in the first half and got the match off to a dream start when Sophie Dowman and Kealy Farley combined to enable Dowman to give them the lead with only 40 seconds on the watch. To their credit, Harlow did not allow this early setback to knock them out of their stride and they pulled level on five minutes when the visitors failed to clear their lines and the loose ball was driven powerfully into the top corner of the goal.
After this initial flurry the match settled down into a game of cat and mouse with the home side generally having the upper hand by a small margin for the remainder of the half. Laura Stone fired a free kick just wide of the target on the quarter hour and soon afterwards Layla Prior made a brave save at the feet of a Harlow forward. Stone fizzed a loose ball wide again on 24 minutes and Harlow missed an equally good chance from a move down their left. The home side kept up the pressure towards the end of the half and Prior had to rush from her area to clear a through ball five minutes before the break.
The second half began with Harlow shooting over under pressure following a right wing corner. However East Thurrock now seemed quicker to ball and they gradually began to wrest control from their opponents. They got their reward in the 56th minute when good interplay down the left involving Tia Hart and Farley allowed Dowman to put them ahead again.
Clearly the two best teams in this age group, they continued to cancel each other out with few clear cut chances emerging for either side. Thomas shot into the side netting on 70 minutes, after a good run down the right flank, and then set up Dowman for a hat-trick but she shot over.
With just over five minutes remaining Harlow missed a gilt-edged chance to equalise when they broke through only to shoot directly at a grateful Prior. With one last push they won a corner on the right. Prior beat out the initial assault but the ball was driven back in at Williamson who was covering on the line. She stopped the ball with her knee but it deflected up onto her arm and away to safety. Referee Tim Ford pointed to the penalty spot and the home side won a fortunate reprieve with a perfectly executed spot kick.
This result maintained the status quo at the top of the table and both sides are now assured of a place in Division One when the League season starts for real. The Rockettes complete their ‘seeding group’ games when they entertain Stevenage Borough at Rookery Hill on Sunday. Kick off is at 10:30.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith (Hayley Williamson, 54 mins), Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Georgia Allen; Kerri Thomas, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Sub not used: Charley Sayer-Payne
Hoddesdon Owls (A) 5th October, 2008
Hoddesdon Owls 1 - East Thurrock United Ladies 9Lucy Cooper (3 mins), Sophie Dowman (4 mins, 5 mins, 56 mins)
Kealy Farley (27 mins, 83 mins), Katie Wilson (43 mins)
Chelsea Hinz (67 mins), Laura Stone (79 mins)
Kealy Farley (27 mins, 83 mins), Katie Wilson (43 mins)
Chelsea Hinz (67 mins), Laura Stone (79 mins)
It was a rather depleted Rockettes squad that headed off to Hertfordshire on Sunday afternoon. Still reeling from the abrupt departure of skillful left back Brooke Whittaker on the eve of the match, the Corringham girls were also without Olympic hopeful Sophie Drake (swimming commitments), Courtney McGovern (wrist), Kerri Thomas (knee and shoulder) and Hayley Williamson (ankle). Thus the club could muster only ten players. Fortunately they arrived at a very wet and windy Hoddesdon to find their opponents in a similar predicament. To add to the drama, the appointed referee failed to show up and the game kicked off twenty minutes late, ten versus ten, with a substitute official in charge. The only substitute on show all afternoon!!!
Rockettes began kicking into the strong wind but with the advantage of a fairly significant slope. They could not have wished for a better start, finding themselves 3-0 up with only five minutes gone. A right wing corner from Kealy Farley in the third minute resulted in a crazy game of pinball in the Hoddesdon goal area and Lucy Cooper managed to stab the ball home at the fifth or sixth attempt. Almost directly from the restart Katie Wilson found Sophie Dowman with a through ball and she ran on to finish with clinical precision. Then, a minute later Dowman doubled her tally with a shot that went in off the goalkeeper’s outstretched leg after Farley had provided the pass.
After this initial flurry Hoddesdon began to gain some composure although, in truth, they probably realised that the game was already lost. After 15 minutes Laura Stone rolled a shot agonisingly wide of the post and almost immediately after the home ‘keeper made a point blank save to deny Dowman an early hat-trick.
A rare Hoddesdon attack in the 18th minute left goalkeeper Layla Prior prostrate on the ground after receiving a knee to the back of the head in a brave challenge. The game was held up for five minutes while Prior was treated but she was eventually able to continue. Typically, Prior’s first words when she regained her senses were, “Did they score?”
East Thurrock increased their lead further after 27 minutes when Farley chipped the ‘keeper after being set up by Dowman. It was not such good news in the 36th minute ‘though when Cooper sustained an ankle injury in a robust 50/50 challenge. The speedy winger was carried off to hospital for a precautionary x-ray, leaving the Rockettes to play over half the match with only nine players.
While Cooper was still receiving first aid on the sidelines Hoddesdon managed to pull a goal back when East Thurrock failed to clear their lines, but the visitors restored their four goal advantage within a minute when Wilson smashed home a pull back from the edge of the area.
The Rockettes began the second half as they had finished the first with Dowman rounding the ‘keeper, only to see a defender get back to cover, and Laura Stone rattling the crossbar with a trademark drive, all in the first five minutes. However, Dowman was not to be denied and she rounded the ‘keeper to score, and complete another hat-trick, in the 56th minute after Farley had provided the decisive pass once again.
Soon after Farley’s cross/shot ran along the top of the bar, but the visitors were determined to prove that their numerical disadvantage would not suppress their superiority and Chelsea Hinz bundled home Farley’s corner after a goalmouth scramble to make the score 7-1 on 67 minutes.
The Rockettes continued to take the game to the Owls and Wilson shot inches wide on the right. Stone finally got the goal that she richly deserved when a superb solo run, shrugging off challenges left and right, ended with her shooting through the ‘keeper’s legs. Farley completed the scoring with her second of the match seven minutes from time, cutting in from the right.
East Thurrock need to regroup before they travel to meet arch-rivals Harlow Town next Sunday in the crunch match of the group. New signing from West Ham United, defender Georgia Allen, will be eligible to make her debut and Thomas and Williamson should return from injury. They will still be without Drake and McGovern and the news from the hospital is that Cooper will face a late fitness test on her badly bruised ankle.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Havering Girls (H) 28th September, 2008
East Thurrock United Ladies 8 - Havering Girls 2Kealy Farley (23 mins, 53 mins, 65 mins)
Lucy Cooper (45 mins), Sophie Drake (57 mins)
Kerri Thomas (62 mins), Laura Stone (80 mins)
Sophie Dowman (85 mins)
The Rockettes continued their winning start to the season in this ECGFL ‘seeding’ game, but this was not one of East Thurrock’s better performances. The better football came from the Havering team in the first half with the home side doing the lion’s share of the defending.
As early as the second minute the visitors were through on goal forcing Layla Prior to rush from her goal to collect. We had to wait until the eleventh minute for the first serious Rockettes attack. A good clearance by Jess Tuffen in the centre of the home defence and some neat play in midfield allowed Lucy Cooper to run in and shoot on goal but her shot rebounded off the post. Rockettes were to rue that missed chance four minutes later when some poor defending on the left of the home defence allowed the Havering no.15 to run through on goal and slide her shot under the advancing Prior. 1-0 to Havering.
East Thurrock huffed and puffed their way back into the game and in the 22nd minute they had a goal disallowed for offside. They drew level a minute later when a Sophie Dowman pass into the centre was hit first time by Kealy Farley and the ball looped over the ‘keeper and into the net.
The next chance fell to Thurrock in the 27th minute when Dowman was fouled on the edge of the area, but the free kick was hit high and wide by Laura Stone. We then had to wait a further 15 minutes before we saw another decent attempt on goal. This time it was Havering who broke away but the striker put her shot over the bar from 20 yards.
With a minute of the first half remaining, poor defending again by East Thurrock saw left back Brooke Whittaker put the ball into her own net. Straight from the restart the Rockettes went on the attack and a good ball into the path of Cooper allowed her to run on and slide the ball into the Havering goal from an acute angle. The half time whistle blew directly Havering kicked off signalling time for head coach Scott Farley to try to put right all the bad things that occurred in the first half.
Sophie Drake replaced Tia Hart on the left of midfield for the second half and within a minute we saw Katie Wilson shoot over the bar from 20 yards. A couple of minutes later Drake was through on goal only to see her shot fly straight at the ‘keeper.
Having survived that initial onslaught the next five minutes were all Havering’s with them shooting over after a scramble in the area and shot that was dealt with by Prior. This scare seemed to shake the home team back to life and in the 53rd minute a speculative shot from Farley from the edge of the area flew into net.
Four minutes later some good football on the right saw Farley become the provider this time when her pass went across the edge of the area to be met by Drake who lashed in the Rockettes fourth goal.
Another tactical change on the hour saw Kerri Thomas come on to replace Cooper on right of midfield and within two minutes she saw her powerful shot fly into the net after some good work by Wilson in the centre of the midfield. This was more like the East Thurrock Ladies play we had seen over the last few weeks and we didn’t have to wait long for the next goal. Some more good football from Wilson saw her holding the ball up in the Havering area and sliding a pass into Farley’s path, enabling the striker to complete her hat-trick with a well placed shot into the goal.
With 80 minutes gone another pass from Wilson found Stone who ran on to power in a shot from the edge of the area. Five minutes later a clearance from Drake on the left beat the Havering off-side trap, which they had used so well throughout this game, and allowed Dowman to run through on goal to complete the scoring at 8-2.
The last five minutes of the game saw Havering play some long balls into the Thurrock area but these were dealt with easily by the home defence. However, the game was to end on a sour note when a through ball into the area on the stroke of full time was well collected by the home ‘keeper only for a Havering player to slide in with her studs showing causing Prior to retaliate with a kick at the striker. Referee Daniel Foord spoke to both players before showing Prior the yellow card.
The Rockettes travel to Hertfordshire next Sunday to play Hoddesdon Owls.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Brooke Whittaker; Lucy Cooper (Kerri Thomas, 60 mins), Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart (Sophie Drake, HT); Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
East Thurrock huffed and puffed their way back into the game and in the 22nd minute they had a goal disallowed for offside. They drew level a minute later when a Sophie Dowman pass into the centre was hit first time by Kealy Farley and the ball looped over the ‘keeper and into the net.
The next chance fell to Thurrock in the 27th minute when Dowman was fouled on the edge of the area, but the free kick was hit high and wide by Laura Stone. We then had to wait a further 15 minutes before we saw another decent attempt on goal. This time it was Havering who broke away but the striker put her shot over the bar from 20 yards.
With a minute of the first half remaining, poor defending again by East Thurrock saw left back Brooke Whittaker put the ball into her own net. Straight from the restart the Rockettes went on the attack and a good ball into the path of Cooper allowed her to run on and slide the ball into the Havering goal from an acute angle. The half time whistle blew directly Havering kicked off signalling time for head coach Scott Farley to try to put right all the bad things that occurred in the first half.
Sophie Drake replaced Tia Hart on the left of midfield for the second half and within a minute we saw Katie Wilson shoot over the bar from 20 yards. A couple of minutes later Drake was through on goal only to see her shot fly straight at the ‘keeper.
Having survived that initial onslaught the next five minutes were all Havering’s with them shooting over after a scramble in the area and shot that was dealt with by Prior. This scare seemed to shake the home team back to life and in the 53rd minute a speculative shot from Farley from the edge of the area flew into net.
Four minutes later some good football on the right saw Farley become the provider this time when her pass went across the edge of the area to be met by Drake who lashed in the Rockettes fourth goal.
Another tactical change on the hour saw Kerri Thomas come on to replace Cooper on right of midfield and within two minutes she saw her powerful shot fly into the net after some good work by Wilson in the centre of the midfield. This was more like the East Thurrock Ladies play we had seen over the last few weeks and we didn’t have to wait long for the next goal. Some more good football from Wilson saw her holding the ball up in the Havering area and sliding a pass into Farley’s path, enabling the striker to complete her hat-trick with a well placed shot into the goal.
With 80 minutes gone another pass from Wilson found Stone who ran on to power in a shot from the edge of the area. Five minutes later a clearance from Drake on the left beat the Havering off-side trap, which they had used so well throughout this game, and allowed Dowman to run through on goal to complete the scoring at 8-2.
The last five minutes of the game saw Havering play some long balls into the Thurrock area but these were dealt with easily by the home defence. However, the game was to end on a sour note when a through ball into the area on the stroke of full time was well collected by the home ‘keeper only for a Havering player to slide in with her studs showing causing Prior to retaliate with a kick at the striker. Referee Daniel Foord spoke to both players before showing Prior the yellow card.
The Rockettes travel to Hertfordshire next Sunday to play Hoddesdon Owls.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Brooke Whittaker; Lucy Cooper (Kerri Thomas, 60 mins), Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart (Sophie Drake, HT); Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Barking Ladies (A) 21st September, 2008
Barking Ladies U18 1 – East Thurrock United Ladies U18 4 Laura Stone (26 mins, 47 mins)
Sophie Dowman (56 mins), Lucy Cooper (62 mins)
Having rampaged through their pre-season programme in cavalier fashion, East Thurrock got their league programme underway with a strangely lacklustre performance against an under strength Barking squad on Sunday morning. The Corringham girls controlled the game from start to finish and yet they were unable to make that advantage count against a workmanlike side who fought like tigers for 90 minutes. The Rockettes created chance after chance but failed to convert them into goals. The worst culprit was last season’s leading goalscorer, Kealy Farley, who seemed to suffer a complete loss of confidence and endured a nightmare in front of goal.
Despite having so much possession, fourteen minutes had passed before the Rockettes seriously threatened the Barking goal. Chelsea Hinz played a diagonal cross field ball to Hayley Williamson on the right wing and she saw the ‘keeper turn her shot into the side netting. From Williamson’s corner Farley struck the crossbar – the closest she would get to scoring all match.
Such was the Rockettes’ dominance in the early stages that the match was in its twentieth minute before goalkeeper Layla Prior got her first touch of the ball, an easy catch. Her second, three minutes later was to prove calamitous. A rare Barking attack caused a moment’s indecision in the visiting defence and Hinz inexplicably stabbed a fierce back-pass at Prior who was forced to handle to prevent an own-goal. This offence led to an indirect free kick two yards from the goal line and the Barking no.9 was able to blast the ball into the roof of the net, despite the close proximity of most of the East Thurrock team, to give the home side an unlikely lead.
Barking’s joy was short-lived as the Rockettes were level three minutes later. Their goalkeeper made a great reaction save after Sophie Dowman got her head to another Williamson corner but Laura Stone was on hand to lash the loose ball into the net. Williamson had another shot saved a couple of minutes later and then supplied a menacing right wing cross which Dowman directed straight at the goalkeeper.
East Thurrock introduced substitutes Lucy Cooper and Sophie Drake at half time to give pace and width on the right and left wings respectively. The tactic reaped dividends immediately when they took the lead just two minutes into the second half. A Cooper inspired move led to a corner on the right and, although Drake’s cross was cleared, Stone launched an acrobatic overhead kick, with her back to goal, which found the corner of the net.
The visitors should have gone further ahead five minutes later but the Barking ‘keeper made her second inspired save of the morning to deny Dowman again after Drake had set her up. Dowman was not to be denied ‘though and she made the score 3-1 on 56 minutes after a dogged run by Cooper.
Cooper got her reward when Katie Wilson played a ball out to her from central midfield and she cut in from the right to score from an acute angle and wrap the game up at 4-1 after 62 minutes.
Next Sunday the Rockettes welcome Havering to Rookery Hill. The visitors will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the 9-0 hammering they suffered there two weeks ago. The match kicks off at 10:30.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith (Kerri Thomas, 65 mins), Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Brooke Whittaker; Hayley Williamson (Lucy Cooper, HT), Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart (Sophie Drake, HT); Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Despite having so much possession, fourteen minutes had passed before the Rockettes seriously threatened the Barking goal. Chelsea Hinz played a diagonal cross field ball to Hayley Williamson on the right wing and she saw the ‘keeper turn her shot into the side netting. From Williamson’s corner Farley struck the crossbar – the closest she would get to scoring all match.
Such was the Rockettes’ dominance in the early stages that the match was in its twentieth minute before goalkeeper Layla Prior got her first touch of the ball, an easy catch. Her second, three minutes later was to prove calamitous. A rare Barking attack caused a moment’s indecision in the visiting defence and Hinz inexplicably stabbed a fierce back-pass at Prior who was forced to handle to prevent an own-goal. This offence led to an indirect free kick two yards from the goal line and the Barking no.9 was able to blast the ball into the roof of the net, despite the close proximity of most of the East Thurrock team, to give the home side an unlikely lead.
Barking’s joy was short-lived as the Rockettes were level three minutes later. Their goalkeeper made a great reaction save after Sophie Dowman got her head to another Williamson corner but Laura Stone was on hand to lash the loose ball into the net. Williamson had another shot saved a couple of minutes later and then supplied a menacing right wing cross which Dowman directed straight at the goalkeeper.
East Thurrock introduced substitutes Lucy Cooper and Sophie Drake at half time to give pace and width on the right and left wings respectively. The tactic reaped dividends immediately when they took the lead just two minutes into the second half. A Cooper inspired move led to a corner on the right and, although Drake’s cross was cleared, Stone launched an acrobatic overhead kick, with her back to goal, which found the corner of the net.
The visitors should have gone further ahead five minutes later but the Barking ‘keeper made her second inspired save of the morning to deny Dowman again after Drake had set her up. Dowman was not to be denied ‘though and she made the score 3-1 on 56 minutes after a dogged run by Cooper.
Cooper got her reward when Katie Wilson played a ball out to her from central midfield and she cut in from the right to score from an acute angle and wrap the game up at 4-1 after 62 minutes.
Next Sunday the Rockettes welcome Havering to Rookery Hill. The visitors will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the 9-0 hammering they suffered there two weeks ago. The match kicks off at 10:30.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith (Kerri Thomas, 65 mins), Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Brooke Whittaker; Hayley Williamson (Lucy Cooper, HT), Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart (Sophie Drake, HT); Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman.
Brentwood Town Ladies (H) 14th September, 2008
East Thurrock United Ladies 14 - Brentwood Town Ladies 1Laura
Stone (11 mins, 34 mins)
Sophie Dowman (13 mins, 20 mins, 24 mins, 32 mins, 49 mins, 74 mins, 85 mins)
Kealy Farley (35 mins, 64 mins, 73 mins)
Kerri Thomas (56 mins), Katie Wilson (59 mins)
The Rockettes completed their pre-season programme by trouncing a disappointing Brentwood Town Ladies side. Indeed the visitors arrived with only ten girls, one of whom was carrying an injury, and ended up drafting in two spectating players to make up a full team.
Laura
Stone began the goal glut when she latched on to a poor clearance in the 11th
minute. Sophie Dowman then took centre
stage, scoring four times in just under 20 minutes. The pick of these was her third where she took
a pass from Katie Wilson and waltzed through the defence to score. Stone made it six with a trade mark long
range strike and then Dowman turned provider, centring for Kealy Farley to open
her account for the day with a crisp finish from the left side of the box.
Two minutes before the break a poor pass on the left flank of the home defence enabled Brentwood to pull a goal back with an audacious lob over Layla Prior. In truth, the goal scorer seemed just as surprised as everyone else. 7-1 at the break.
It
didn’t take long for East Thurrock to get back into their stride once the
second period began and the half was barely four minutes old when the ‘keeper
parried a Farley shot straight into the path of the advancing Dowman who had no
hesitation in collecting her fifth goal of the morning.
In the 56th minute Kerri Thomas opened her East Thurrock account with a neat turn and shot after good work on the left and Wilson did likewise just three minutes later with a lazy lob after taking a pass from Stone. That left Farley and Dowman to round off the scoring with two apiece. Stone was denied a second successive hat-trick when her shot came back off the bar with a minute to play.
So Rockettes completed their
three game pre-season with an aggregate of 35-3. Dowman scored 16 of those
goals, with Farley contributing a further 11 and Stone 5. They will be hoping
to carry this form forward to next Sunday when they begin their season in
earnest with an ECGFL ‘seeding’ game at Barking Ladies. The match kicks off at 10:30.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Brooke Whittaker; Hayley Williamson, Kerri Thomas, Katie Wilson, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Sub: Laura Stone.
Havering Girls (H) 7th September, 2008 [Challenge Cup]
East Thurrock United Ladies 9 - Havering Girls 0Kealy Farley (1 min, 60 mins, 62 mins)
Sophie Dowman (9 mins, 48 mins, 52 mins)
Laura Stone (37 mins, 67 mins, 70 mins)
The Rockettes continued their excellent pre-season form on Sunday morning, becoming the first winners of the ‘Challenge Cup’ with a comprehensive win over Havering.
The home side got off to the best possible start when Kealy Farley connected with a cross from the right by Sophie Dowman to put them ahead with only 34 seconds on the watch. This gave East Thurrock the chance to impose their authority on the game right from the off and Dowman doubled their lead on nine minutes when she nipped in to capitalise on a moment of indecision between the visiting centre back and goal keeper.
The Rockettes should have gone further ahead after 17 minutes with a fabulous cross field move featuring Sophie Drake, Laura Stone and Katie Wilson, but Kerri Thomas’ shot skimmed just over the bar.
Despite dominating the play, Rockettes had to wait until seven minutes before half-time before putting the game out of reach. Stone collected the ball just inside the Havering half and went on a powerful solo run that ended with her clipping the ball past the Havering ‘keeper.
East Thurrock came out for the second half expecting to face a Havering fight back but they almost started the second period as they had the first. This time the ‘keeper was able to parry Drake’s close range shot and the rebound fell unkindly for the home side. The visitors’ luck didn’t last for long ‘though. Soon after, Chelsea Hinz played a long ball forward to Farley and, although the ‘keeper was able to parry the shot again, it fell perfectly for Dowman who was left with the simplest of tap-ins. Four minutes later she completed her hat-trick with a crisp shot from six yards following a move featuring Thomas, Cooper and Wilson.
The Rockettes continued to pile on the pressure and both Tia Hart and Drake were unlucky not to add to the tally. Eventually the pressure told and Farley became the second home player to complete her hat-trick with a brace in two minutes. Right on the hour she chipped the ball over the ‘keeper, who had saved her first effort and a shot from Wilson. Then she took a pass from Wilson and hit a diagonal shot across the box that just crept inside the far post.
Not to be outdone, Stone also completed her hat-trick with a quick brace, the first going in off the far post and the second, an absolute pile driver of a shot from the edge of the area, cannoning in off the underside of the bar to round out the scoring. East Thurrock then wound the clock down for the final 20 minutes with Havering never looking a serious threat to home ‘keeper, and stand-in captain, Layla Prior.
East Thurrock United first team manager, John Coventry, presented winners and runners-up medals to the two sets of players and Prior and injured captain, Courtney McGovern, stepped forward to jointly receive the Challenge Cup.
The idea for the Challenge Cup came about during a post-match discussion between John Greyson of Havering and Scott Farley of East Thurrock following a friendly match at the end of last season. The impressive trophy has been donated by Havering and the facilities provided by East Thurrock.
In future seasons it is hoped that the Challenge Cup will take the form of a four team invitational pre-season tournament with two semi-final games being played at Rookery Hill on Saturday and the final on Sunday.
The Rockettes complete their pre-season programme with a home game against Brentwood Town Ladies next Sunday, 14th September. The match kicks off at 10:30.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Tia Hart; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Hayley Williamson; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Kerri Thomas, Sophie Drake.
The home side got off to the best possible start when Kealy Farley connected with a cross from the right by Sophie Dowman to put them ahead with only 34 seconds on the watch. This gave East Thurrock the chance to impose their authority on the game right from the off and Dowman doubled their lead on nine minutes when she nipped in to capitalise on a moment of indecision between the visiting centre back and goal keeper.
The Rockettes should have gone further ahead after 17 minutes with a fabulous cross field move featuring Sophie Drake, Laura Stone and Katie Wilson, but Kerri Thomas’ shot skimmed just over the bar.
Despite dominating the play, Rockettes had to wait until seven minutes before half-time before putting the game out of reach. Stone collected the ball just inside the Havering half and went on a powerful solo run that ended with her clipping the ball past the Havering ‘keeper.
East Thurrock came out for the second half expecting to face a Havering fight back but they almost started the second period as they had the first. This time the ‘keeper was able to parry Drake’s close range shot and the rebound fell unkindly for the home side. The visitors’ luck didn’t last for long ‘though. Soon after, Chelsea Hinz played a long ball forward to Farley and, although the ‘keeper was able to parry the shot again, it fell perfectly for Dowman who was left with the simplest of tap-ins. Four minutes later she completed her hat-trick with a crisp shot from six yards following a move featuring Thomas, Cooper and Wilson.
The Rockettes continued to pile on the pressure and both Tia Hart and Drake were unlucky not to add to the tally. Eventually the pressure told and Farley became the second home player to complete her hat-trick with a brace in two minutes. Right on the hour she chipped the ball over the ‘keeper, who had saved her first effort and a shot from Wilson. Then she took a pass from Wilson and hit a diagonal shot across the box that just crept inside the far post.
Not to be outdone, Stone also completed her hat-trick with a quick brace, the first going in off the far post and the second, an absolute pile driver of a shot from the edge of the area, cannoning in off the underside of the bar to round out the scoring. East Thurrock then wound the clock down for the final 20 minutes with Havering never looking a serious threat to home ‘keeper, and stand-in captain, Layla Prior.
East Thurrock United first team manager, John Coventry, presented winners and runners-up medals to the two sets of players and Prior and injured captain, Courtney McGovern, stepped forward to jointly receive the Challenge Cup.
The idea for the Challenge Cup came about during a post-match discussion between John Greyson of Havering and Scott Farley of East Thurrock following a friendly match at the end of last season. The impressive trophy has been donated by Havering and the facilities provided by East Thurrock.
In future seasons it is hoped that the Challenge Cup will take the form of a four team invitational pre-season tournament with two semi-final games being played at Rookery Hill on Saturday and the final on Sunday.
The Rockettes complete their pre-season programme with a home game against Brentwood Town Ladies next Sunday, 14th September. The match kicks off at 10:30.
Team: Layla Prior; Emma Smith, Jess Tuffen, Chelsea Hinz, Tia Hart; Lucy Cooper, Laura Stone, Katie Wilson, Hayley Williamson; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Kerri Thomas, Sophie Drake.
Rayne Girls (A) 31st August, 2008
Rayne Girls 2 - East Thurrock United Ladies 12East Thurrock United Ladies began their pre-season programme in style with a demolition job on Rayne Girls U18s. With six players unavailable due to holidays and injury the Rockettes took a small squad up to Rayne and enjoyed a goal feast which saw them score eleven without reply before half-time.
The rout started as early as the fifth minute with a great pass from Katie Wilson finding the feet of Kealy Farley (Rockette’s top scorer last season) who smashed home the first of her five. The second was not far behind. After some great build up play down the right, the ball fell to Laura Stone who set up Sophie Dowman to hit the first of six. This opened the floodgates and the Rockettes deadly strike duo went on the rampage, adding a further eight between them with new signing Lucy Cooper adding her first for the club before half time.
The second half began with a quick Rayne attack which resulted in a mix up at the back letting in the Rayne striker to score her first of two. Dowman was quick to reply, scoring her sixth with a good finish after a goal mouth scramble. The game then settled down for the rest of the half with some good football from both teams. Rayne added their second mid way through the half.
Head Coach Scott Farley said after the game, “I was very pleased with the way we dominated the game from the whistle in midfield. At times our football was a joy to watch. We have signed several new players this season and whilst they are all working well on the training ground it can sometimes be a different story in a game. However the score line says it all and we carry a lot of positives forward into our next game. We have two more pre-season games before our league season starts 21st September, the first being Sunday 7th September at home to Havering Ladies in the Challenge Cup and the other on Sunday 14th September against Brentwood Town Ladies. Both games kick off at 10:30am at Rookery Hill."
The rout started as early as the fifth minute with a great pass from Katie Wilson finding the feet of Kealy Farley (Rockette’s top scorer last season) who smashed home the first of her five. The second was not far behind. After some great build up play down the right, the ball fell to Laura Stone who set up Sophie Dowman to hit the first of six. This opened the floodgates and the Rockettes deadly strike duo went on the rampage, adding a further eight between them with new signing Lucy Cooper adding her first for the club before half time.
The second half began with a quick Rayne attack which resulted in a mix up at the back letting in the Rayne striker to score her first of two. Dowman was quick to reply, scoring her sixth with a good finish after a goal mouth scramble. The game then settled down for the rest of the half with some good football from both teams. Rayne added their second mid way through the half.
Head Coach Scott Farley said after the game, “I was very pleased with the way we dominated the game from the whistle in midfield. At times our football was a joy to watch. We have signed several new players this season and whilst they are all working well on the training ground it can sometimes be a different story in a game. However the score line says it all and we carry a lot of positives forward into our next game. We have two more pre-season games before our league season starts 21st September, the first being Sunday 7th September at home to Havering Ladies in the Challenge Cup and the other on Sunday 14th September against Brentwood Town Ladies. Both games kick off at 10:30am at Rookery Hill."
2007-08 Season
Havering Girls (H) - 13th April, 2008 [ friendly ]
Herongate Ladies (H) - 2nd April, 2008 [ friendly ]
Leyton Orient A.S.S. (A) - 16th March, 2008
Little Thurrock Dynamos (H) - 9th March, 2008
Barking Ladies (H) - 2nd March, 2008
Assandun Vikings (H) - 24th February, 2008
RSA Basildon Girls (A) - 10th February, 2008
Harlow Town (H) - 3rd February, 2008
West Ham United (H) - 27th January, 2008 (League Cup)
Colchester Town (A) - 13th January, 2008
Leyton Orient A.S.S. (H) - 25th November, 2007 (League Cup)
Assandun Vikings (A) - 11th November, 2007
RSA Basildon Girls (H) - 4th November, 2007
Harlow Town (A) - 28th October, 2007
Hoddesdon Owls (A) - 14th October, 2007 (League Cup)
Colchester Town (H) - 7th October, 2007
Barking Ladies (A) - 30th September, 2007
Leyton Orient A.S.S. (H) - 23rd September, 2007
-
Little Thurrock Dynamos (A) - 16th September, 2007
Havering Girls (H) 13th April, 2008 [ friendly match over 90 minutes ]
East Thurrock United Ladies 4 - Havering Girls 0Sophie Dowman (12 mins)
trialist #5 (61 mins)
Kealy Farley (76 mins)
trialist #6 (90+2 mins)
Team: Sophie Mingay; Emma Smith, Courtney McGovern, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Hayley Earley, Chelsea Hinz, Sophie Drake, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: trialist #5, trialist #6, trialist #7.
Herongate Ladies (H) 2nd April, 2008 [ friendly match under floodlights ]
East Thurrock United Ladies 5 - Herongate Ladies 3Kealy Farley (1 min) (4 mins, 80+4 mins*)
Sophie Drake (19 mins)
Sophie Dowman (29 mins, 42 mins, 80+4 mins*)
* East Thurrock United scored first
Team:
Sophie Mingay; Emma Smith, Courtney McGovern, Charley Sayer-Payne,
Hayley Earley; trialist #7, Chelsea Hinz, Sophie Drake, Tia
Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: trialist #5, trialist #6.
Leyton Orient A.S.S. (A) 16th March, 2008
Leyton Orient A.S.S. 1 - East Thurrock United Ladies 4
Sophie Dowman (79 mins)
The Rockettes rounded out their first season with a respectable 4-1 win at Leyton Orient. However for most of the game, which was played out in a strong, blustery wind and driving rain, it looked as if it would finish scoreless as both teams cancelled each other out and neither seemed motivated for a meaningless end-of-season encounter with nothing but pride at stake.
The first half was absolutely dreadful with neither goalkeeper having to make a save of any note. When the whistle signalled half time it was clear that the home side were delighted with their first half endeavours and the 0-0 scoreline.
As the teams emerged from the dressing rooms for the second half the rain seemed even heavier and Rockettes started with a flurry. They won a corner from their first attack and Chelsea Hinz’s in-swinger clipped the near post before being cleared to safety. However, this early excitement flattered to deceive and the match soon settled back into tedium, albeit with rather more urgency than before.
Just as the Rockettes looked as if they might be gaining the upper hand, disaster struck. As an attack broke down, Orient counter attacked swiftly and a pass across the box found a striker unmarked at the far post who slotted the ball past Sophie Mingay. Cue wild celebrations from the home team and their supporters as they sensed an upset with only 13 minutes remaining.
After more than an hour of lethargy, few would have predicted the Rockettes’ furious response. On 70 minutes an Orient defender handled right on the edge of the area and Kealy Farley stepped up to rifle home the free kick. Two minutes later, left back Charley Sayer-Payne lofted an inch perfect pass down the line to Sophie Dowman who beat a defender and squared the ball for Farley to fire the Rockettes into the lead.
Now it was all one-way traffic and Rockettes doubled their tally in the final two minutes. First Dowman latched on to a long clearance out of defence by Courtney McGovern and then, with the game already in added time, Farley completed her hat-trick in controversial circumstances. She cut in from the right and appeared to beat the ‘keeper at her near post. However, the ball then ran out behind the goal and the defenders claimed the shot had hit the side netting and gone behind. The referee consulted his assistant referee (ironically the Orient manager), who was ideally placed to see the incident, and the goal was awarded.
The hat-trick left Farley as top goalscorer for the season with 30 goals from 17 starts. Dowman was just four behind with 26 goals from 17 starts. The Rockettes need to find some back-up for these two before next season as the next highest scorer was Sophie Drake on 9 goals followed up by Hinz, Lauren Riddick and Tia Hart, all on 5 goals.
The first half was absolutely dreadful with neither goalkeeper having to make a save of any note. When the whistle signalled half time it was clear that the home side were delighted with their first half endeavours and the 0-0 scoreline.
As the teams emerged from the dressing rooms for the second half the rain seemed even heavier and Rockettes started with a flurry. They won a corner from their first attack and Chelsea Hinz’s in-swinger clipped the near post before being cleared to safety. However, this early excitement flattered to deceive and the match soon settled back into tedium, albeit with rather more urgency than before.
Just as the Rockettes looked as if they might be gaining the upper hand, disaster struck. As an attack broke down, Orient counter attacked swiftly and a pass across the box found a striker unmarked at the far post who slotted the ball past Sophie Mingay. Cue wild celebrations from the home team and their supporters as they sensed an upset with only 13 minutes remaining.
After more than an hour of lethargy, few would have predicted the Rockettes’ furious response. On 70 minutes an Orient defender handled right on the edge of the area and Kealy Farley stepped up to rifle home the free kick. Two minutes later, left back Charley Sayer-Payne lofted an inch perfect pass down the line to Sophie Dowman who beat a defender and squared the ball for Farley to fire the Rockettes into the lead.
Now it was all one-way traffic and Rockettes doubled their tally in the final two minutes. First Dowman latched on to a long clearance out of defence by Courtney McGovern and then, with the game already in added time, Farley completed her hat-trick in controversial circumstances. She cut in from the right and appeared to beat the ‘keeper at her near post. However, the ball then ran out behind the goal and the defenders claimed the shot had hit the side netting and gone behind. The referee consulted his assistant referee (ironically the Orient manager), who was ideally placed to see the incident, and the goal was awarded.
The hat-trick left Farley as top goalscorer for the season with 30 goals from 17 starts. Dowman was just four behind with 26 goals from 17 starts. The Rockettes need to find some back-up for these two before next season as the next highest scorer was Sophie Drake on 9 goals followed up by Hinz, Lauren Riddick and Tia Hart, all on 5 goals.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Leigh Wainford, Courtney McGovern, Caroline Sheppard,
Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Lauren Riddick, Sophie Drake, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Emma Smith, Hayley Williamson, Mae Town.
Little Thurrock Dynamos (H) 9th March, 2008
East Thurrock United Ladies 4 - Little Thurrock Dynamos 2
Sophie Dowman (56 mins, 74 mins)
The Rockettes claimed local bragging rights and ensured themselves league runners-up spot into the bargain as they overcame a spirited Little Thurrock Dynamos side in the Thurrock derby at Rookery Hill on Sunday morning. The 4-2 scoreline reflected that from the opening day of the season as East Thurrock did the double over their local rivals.
The game began as a tense cat-and-mouse contest as both sides sought to test each other out without wanting to give anything away. A few half chances went begging with Sophie Dowman guilty of missing a couple of opportunities for the home side. It was the visitors who finally opened the scoring on 17 minutes with the ever dangerous Roxy Johnson latching on to an error in the home defence and leaving ‘keeper Sophie Mingay grasping at thin air.
The goal sharpened the Rockettes’ focus and within two minutes they were level. Centre back Courtney McGovern played a long ball out from defence that was collected by Kealy Farley on the left side and the striker rifled her shot home from the edge of the box. The same player could have given East Thurrock the lead seconds later but she pulled her shot wide. However, she made no mistake just before the half hour with a quality finish after Charley Sayer-Payne and Tia Hart had combined down the left wing.
The score remained at 2-1 up to half time and the first significant action of the second half saw the LTD ‘keeper tip a fierce Farley drive over the bar after she had combined well with Dowman to create the opening. The Rockettes strike partnership were constantly allowing themselves to be caught in the LTD offside trap, much to the frustration of the home bench.
LTD looked certain to equalise after 55 minutes but Johnson put her shot into the side netting at the near post. Her disappointment was maximised as the resulting goal kick fell to Dowman in the centre circle and she ran through a static visiting defence to make the score 3-1 to the Rockettes.
The two goal cushion didn’t last for long. An LTD free kick on the right touchline was launched into the box and Mingay appeared to take her eye off the ball as she came to collect it. The ball ran loose and Johnson was on hand to stab it home from close range in the resulting melee. The embarrassed ‘keeper quickly made amends ‘though, as she saved at point-blank range from the same player.
LTD probably realised that it wasn’t going to be their day when another free kick struck the crossbar on 67 minutes, although Sophie Drake may well have cleared off the line had it been any lower. Their worst fears were realised six minutes from time when Dowman made the game safe with a clinical finish. She might have claimed her hat-trick in stoppage time after Leigh Wainford set her up for another chance but the LTD ‘keeper, who had an excellent game despite playing with a sore back, was equal to it.
The final whistle signalled the start of wild celebrations for the Corringham girls who can look forward to life in Division A next season. Before that, they have one final Division B fixture to fulfil, away to Leyton Orient on Sunday.
The game began as a tense cat-and-mouse contest as both sides sought to test each other out without wanting to give anything away. A few half chances went begging with Sophie Dowman guilty of missing a couple of opportunities for the home side. It was the visitors who finally opened the scoring on 17 minutes with the ever dangerous Roxy Johnson latching on to an error in the home defence and leaving ‘keeper Sophie Mingay grasping at thin air.
The goal sharpened the Rockettes’ focus and within two minutes they were level. Centre back Courtney McGovern played a long ball out from defence that was collected by Kealy Farley on the left side and the striker rifled her shot home from the edge of the box. The same player could have given East Thurrock the lead seconds later but she pulled her shot wide. However, she made no mistake just before the half hour with a quality finish after Charley Sayer-Payne and Tia Hart had combined down the left wing.
The score remained at 2-1 up to half time and the first significant action of the second half saw the LTD ‘keeper tip a fierce Farley drive over the bar after she had combined well with Dowman to create the opening. The Rockettes strike partnership were constantly allowing themselves to be caught in the LTD offside trap, much to the frustration of the home bench.
LTD looked certain to equalise after 55 minutes but Johnson put her shot into the side netting at the near post. Her disappointment was maximised as the resulting goal kick fell to Dowman in the centre circle and she ran through a static visiting defence to make the score 3-1 to the Rockettes.
The two goal cushion didn’t last for long. An LTD free kick on the right touchline was launched into the box and Mingay appeared to take her eye off the ball as she came to collect it. The ball ran loose and Johnson was on hand to stab it home from close range in the resulting melee. The embarrassed ‘keeper quickly made amends ‘though, as she saved at point-blank range from the same player.
LTD probably realised that it wasn’t going to be their day when another free kick struck the crossbar on 67 minutes, although Sophie Drake may well have cleared off the line had it been any lower. Their worst fears were realised six minutes from time when Dowman made the game safe with a clinical finish. She might have claimed her hat-trick in stoppage time after Leigh Wainford set her up for another chance but the LTD ‘keeper, who had an excellent game despite playing with a sore back, was equal to it.
The final whistle signalled the start of wild celebrations for the Corringham girls who can look forward to life in Division A next season. Before that, they have one final Division B fixture to fulfil, away to Leyton Orient on Sunday.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Emma Smith, Courtney McGovern, Caroline Sheppard,
Charley Sayer-Payne; Hayley
Earley, Chelsea Hinz, Sophie Drake, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Hayley Williamson, Justine
Palmer, Lauren Riddick, Leigh Wainford.
Barking Ladies (H) 2nd March, 2008
East Thurrock United Ladies 2 - Barking Ladies 2
Kealy Farley (67 mins)
Rockettes missed the chance to return to the top of the league on Sunday morning when they failed to beat Barking Ladies at Rookery Hill. They now find themselves a point behind Harlow Town having played a game more. Whilst it is still possible for the Corringham girls to overhaul the West Essex side, it is hard to see where Harlow will drop the points.
Having lost right back Emma Smith to an ankle injury just 10 seconds from the end of last week’s game, East Thurrock suffered a further defensive blow before kick off with the news that centre back Caroline Sheppard had been injured in a park kick-around. This meant that the versatile Sophie Drake, a four goal heroine last week, was forced to drop back into defence once again. Drake and fellow centre back Courtney McGovern both gave immense performances that ultimately saved the game for the home side.
The match started with the visitors pressing forward strongly and they almost took the lead after four minutes with a fierce shot that Sophie Mingay was just able to finger tip onto a post. In fact it took almost half an hour before the Rockettes were able to carve out a really dangerous opportunity but Kealy Farley shot straight at the goalkeeper.
The home side gradually began to gain the upper hand as the half time interval approached and the Barking girls seemed to tire. With six minutes to go the pressure finally told and a five player move around the box ended with Farley setting up Sophie Dowman to open the scoring. Rockettes sensed the chance to go further ahead but were denied in the second minute of stoppage time when Farley’s shot hit the bar, ricocheted onto the line and was gathered by the ‘keeper.
East Thurrock continued to press after the break and a good move on the right hand side saw Farley feed Dowman whose shot was blocked at the expense of a corner. A minute later a clever free kick from Drake allowed Farley a shot on goal that was saved, Dowman’s rebound was blocked and she blasted a second chance over the bar.
However Barking were far from out of it and they equalised on 55 minutes when a Rockettes attack broke down and they counter-attacked swiftly down the left. Amy Beckwith found herself clear through on Mingay and drew the ‘keeper out before burying the ball in the net. Just two minutes later Beckwith found herself with the chance to put the visitors ahead and she showed that she could finish just as clinically from the right side of goal. 2-1 to Barking.
For a few minutes the Rockettes’ heads went down and you sensed that Barking might put the match beyond doubt. The home side pulled themselves together though, regrouped and fought their way back into the game. They were rewarded after 67 minutes when Dowman ran at the Barking defence, checked back and teed up Farley to level the scores. Dowman could have won it for the home side in the very next minute, but she shot straight at the keeper when clean through.
Both sides huffed and puffed in the final ten minutes but there were no clear cut chances and they were forced to settle for the draw that neither wanted. This result leaves Barking in third place, three points behind East Thurrock.
The Rockettes finish their home programme next week with a derby against local rivals Little Thurrock Dynamos.
Having lost right back Emma Smith to an ankle injury just 10 seconds from the end of last week’s game, East Thurrock suffered a further defensive blow before kick off with the news that centre back Caroline Sheppard had been injured in a park kick-around. This meant that the versatile Sophie Drake, a four goal heroine last week, was forced to drop back into defence once again. Drake and fellow centre back Courtney McGovern both gave immense performances that ultimately saved the game for the home side.
The match started with the visitors pressing forward strongly and they almost took the lead after four minutes with a fierce shot that Sophie Mingay was just able to finger tip onto a post. In fact it took almost half an hour before the Rockettes were able to carve out a really dangerous opportunity but Kealy Farley shot straight at the goalkeeper.
The home side gradually began to gain the upper hand as the half time interval approached and the Barking girls seemed to tire. With six minutes to go the pressure finally told and a five player move around the box ended with Farley setting up Sophie Dowman to open the scoring. Rockettes sensed the chance to go further ahead but were denied in the second minute of stoppage time when Farley’s shot hit the bar, ricocheted onto the line and was gathered by the ‘keeper.
East Thurrock continued to press after the break and a good move on the right hand side saw Farley feed Dowman whose shot was blocked at the expense of a corner. A minute later a clever free kick from Drake allowed Farley a shot on goal that was saved, Dowman’s rebound was blocked and she blasted a second chance over the bar.
However Barking were far from out of it and they equalised on 55 minutes when a Rockettes attack broke down and they counter-attacked swiftly down the left. Amy Beckwith found herself clear through on Mingay and drew the ‘keeper out before burying the ball in the net. Just two minutes later Beckwith found herself with the chance to put the visitors ahead and she showed that she could finish just as clinically from the right side of goal. 2-1 to Barking.
For a few minutes the Rockettes’ heads went down and you sensed that Barking might put the match beyond doubt. The home side pulled themselves together though, regrouped and fought their way back into the game. They were rewarded after 67 minutes when Dowman ran at the Barking defence, checked back and teed up Farley to level the scores. Dowman could have won it for the home side in the very next minute, but she shot straight at the keeper when clean through.
Both sides huffed and puffed in the final ten minutes but there were no clear cut chances and they were forced to settle for the draw that neither wanted. This result leaves Barking in third place, three points behind East Thurrock.
The Rockettes finish their home programme next week with a derby against local rivals Little Thurrock Dynamos.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Leigh Wainford, Courtney McGovern, Sophie Drake,
Charley Sayer-Payne; Mae Town, Chelsea Hinz, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Hayley
Earley, Hayley Williamson, Justine
Palmer.
Player of the Match: Tia Hart
Assandun Vikings (H) 24th February, 2008
East Thurrock United Ladies 10 - Assandun Vikings 1
Sophie Drake (5 mins, 9 mins, 56 mins, 62 mins)
Sophie Dowman (14 mins, 64 mins)
Chelsea Hinz (22 mins)
Kealy Farley (68 mins, 70 mins)
own goal (76 mins)
The Rockettes looked more like their old selves as they overcame an early setback to reach double figures for the second time this season at Rookery Hill. Sophie Drake, playing in her preferred midfield role for a change, helped herself to her second four goal haul of the season to make it 9 goals from 9 games – many at centre back and one in goal!
Things could not have started better for the visitors as the pacy Lucy Cooper stunned the home side by firing Vikings ahead with only 12 seconds on the watch. To their credit the Rockettes were not fazed by this shock and Drake soon pulled them level with a solo effort bursting through from the right. Not content with that, she gave them the lead just four minutes later. Courtney McGovern, starting at centre back for the first time, played the ball out to Chelsea Hinz on the right wing and Hinz found Sophie Dowman who crossed into the box. Kealy Farley’s shot was blocked but Drake was on hand to smash home the rebound.
With Rockettes now in the ascendancy, Dowman turned from provider to scorer, letting rip with a long range effort that the ‘keeper could only help into the net. Barely half way through the first half and the Corringham girls made it 4-1 as the Vikings’ defence failed to clear a left wing corner from Drake and the ball ran loose to Hinz who gratefully tucked it away at the far post.
After this early onslaught the Rockettes seemed to take their collective foot off the gas and there were chances for both teams as the first period drew to a close. This situation continued into the second half and it was 15 minutes before the Rockettes hit top form again with a six goal burst in 20 minutes.
Drake secured her hat-trick in style, running through from the halfway line before coolly slotting the ball past the advancing ‘keeper. Just a few minutes later she was on hand again to tap in at the far post as Dowman just failed to get her head to a Hinz cross. Two minutes later and Drake took a quick throw to Dowman who beat two defenders before scoring.
With the score at 7-1, leading scorer Farley clearly decided she should have a piece of the action by scoring twice in two minutes. First she collected a pass from Dowman to score an easy goal then she seemed to beat half the Vikings team to score again. She was denied a hat-trick in the very next minute after she juggled the ball with her back to goal and her overhead kick came back off the crossbar. Moments later Dowman was also denied a hat-trick after her ‘goal’ was ruled out after a foul by a team mate. She came close again before the end, pressurising a Vikings defender to head past her own ‘keeper to make the final score 10-1.
Rockettes know they will face a sterner test when Barking Ladies visit next week. They will have to do so without full back Emma Smith who was carried off with a serious ankle injury just seconds from the end.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Emma Smith, Courtney McGovern, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Tia Hart, Sophie Drake, Hayley Earley; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Hayley Williamson, Justine Palmer, Leigh Wainford.
RSA Basildon (A) 10th February, 2008
RSA Basildon 3 - East Thurrock United Ladies 6
10 mins Chelsea Hinz (4 mins, 57 mins)
16 mins Sophie Dowman (30 mins, 78 mins)
66 mins Kealy Farley (50 mins, 52 mins)
The Rockettes got back to winning ways against RSA Basildon, but it was hardly a convincing performance against a team that they thrashed 13-2 in November. In fairness, it wasn’t exactly their strongest side that took to the field on Sunday morning and, given their recent injury problems, the three points were the chief concern.
The Thurrock girls got off to a good start, taking the lead as early as the fourth minute after a long clearance from the back found Chelsea Hinz in acres of space on the right and she cut inside to score with ease. The lead didn’t last for long ‘though because RSA hit back with a controversial equaliser on ten minutes. The linesman flagged offside but the referee, Mr Alain Job from Cameroon, ruled that the goal should stand. Worse was to come six minutes later when the RSA #8 muscled her way though the Rockettes defence to score an excellent solo goal.
There was a comical interlude when Mr Job blew for half-time after only 28 minutes. Fortunately the idiosyncratic official was quickly convinced that he had made a mistake and the first period continued. Just as well for the Rockettes because Sophie Dowman soon controlled a high ball on the left side of goal and hammered it home to tie the score at 2-2 going into the real interval.
The Rockettes started the second half playing down the slope and within minutes Kealy Farley hit the bar and Lauren Riddick drew a great save from the home ‘keeper. Farley was not to be denied for long and in the space of two minutes she helped herself to a brace; the first a fine solo effort and the second a neat lob after good work by Sophie Drake. Hinz soon added her second of the game after Drake and Hayley Earley had combined to create a simple opportunity for her. Three goals in seven minutes!
RSA pulled a goal back against the run of play after 66 minutes and almost immediately after the Rockettes spurned a guilt edged opportunity to reply. Dowman was brought down in full flight on the edge of the box and Riddick struck a powerful free kick that was handled on the line by the RSA captain. Bizarrely, Mr Job showed neither a yellow nor red card and Farley passed up the chance to notch her fourth hat-trick of the season by pulling her spot kick wide of the post. Rockettes were not to be denied a sixth ‘though and Dowman powered home a bullet-like header from a Hinz corner with two minutes remaining.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Justine Palmer, Emma Smith, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Tia Hart, Sophie Drake, Hayley Earley; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Courtney McGovern, Lauren Riddick, Leigh Wainford, Mae Town.
Player of the Match: Sophie Dowman
Harlow Town (H) 3rd February, 2008
East Thurrock United Ladies 0 – Harlow Town 5
4 mins, 32 mins
42 mins, 70 mins, 73 mins
After being trounced in the cup by West Ham United last week, Rockettes saw their league championship hopes dashed when title rivals Harlow Town whipped them at Rookery Hill on Sunday morning. This was the girls’ first league defeat since 19th November 2006, but they could have no complaints as Harlow comprehensively avenged their home defeat in October.
A mounting injury crisis threatens to derail Rockettes season completely and they now find themselves with only eight fully fit players from a squad of 17. With experienced defenders Kelsey Bridges and Leigh Wainford already ruled out, four players faced an early fitness test. Courtney McGovern, who was supposed to replace Bridges, failed to make the cut and by the end of the game her three colleagues had also been forced off.
In truth, the Rockettes were never at the races. Harlow took an early lead from a free kick on the right side of the box and doubled it just past the half hour mark with a goal that may well have been the best scored all season at Rookery Hill by any team. Dempsey Favell collected a long clearance from her own defence after the bounce deceived the Rockettes back line, controlled the ball with her head and thigh and volleyed home from 25 yards.
Any hopes that Rockettes might have harboured of staging a second half fight back were quickly dashed as a flowing move down the left wing led to a third Harlow goal after the initial shot had struck the post. This effectively put the game beyond reach. Centre back Caroline Sheppard finally got the ball in the net in after 57 minutes but Justine Palmer, on as a makeshift striker, was adjudged to have fouled a defender and the goal didn’t count.
As the game wore on a succession of players limped off, were patched up, and then thrown back into the fray. Harlow scored twice more in the final ten minutes to confirm the points and, in all likelihood the championship. Rockettes now trail by five points with a game in hand but, on this form, the chances of Harlow tripping up look remote. Meanwhile, Rockettes may struggle to field a full team at RSA Basildon next Sunday.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Emma Smith, Sophie Drake, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Hayley Earley, Justine Palmer, Mae Town.
A mounting injury crisis threatens to derail Rockettes season completely and they now find themselves with only eight fully fit players from a squad of 17. With experienced defenders Kelsey Bridges and Leigh Wainford already ruled out, four players faced an early fitness test. Courtney McGovern, who was supposed to replace Bridges, failed to make the cut and by the end of the game her three colleagues had also been forced off.
In truth, the Rockettes were never at the races. Harlow took an early lead from a free kick on the right side of the box and doubled it just past the half hour mark with a goal that may well have been the best scored all season at Rookery Hill by any team. Dempsey Favell collected a long clearance from her own defence after the bounce deceived the Rockettes back line, controlled the ball with her head and thigh and volleyed home from 25 yards.
Any hopes that Rockettes might have harboured of staging a second half fight back were quickly dashed as a flowing move down the left wing led to a third Harlow goal after the initial shot had struck the post. This effectively put the game beyond reach. Centre back Caroline Sheppard finally got the ball in the net in after 57 minutes but Justine Palmer, on as a makeshift striker, was adjudged to have fouled a defender and the goal didn’t count.
As the game wore on a succession of players limped off, were patched up, and then thrown back into the fray. Harlow scored twice more in the final ten minutes to confirm the points and, in all likelihood the championship. Rockettes now trail by five points with a game in hand but, on this form, the chances of Harlow tripping up look remote. Meanwhile, Rockettes may struggle to field a full team at RSA Basildon next Sunday.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Emma Smith, Sophie Drake, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Hayley Earley, Justine Palmer, Mae Town.
West Ham United (H) 27th January, 2008 - League Cup Quarter Final
8 mins, 21 mins, 32 mins
45 mins, 55 mins, 66 mins, 70 mins, 80 mins
There was to be no fairytale giant-killing at Rookery Hill on Sunday morning as East Thurrock United Ladies were crushed 8-0 in the quarter finals of the U16 League Cup by all conquering Division A champions, West Ham United.
Whilst the score might have been predictable – the Hammers girls have racked up league scores of 22-0, 20-1 and 15-1 already this season – the manner in which it was achieved was not. The gulf in class between the top of the two divisions was clear to see, but East Thurrock fought hard until the dying minutes and while the Hammers margin of victory was considerable it was not a true reflection of the effort put in by the home side.
Rockettes started brightly and matched their more illustrious opponents stride for stride in the opening minutes. With eight minutes gone they had a golden opportunity to take the lead as Kealy Farley found herself with a run on goal and a clumsy challenge resulted in the award of a penalty kick. Midfielder Sophie Drake strode forward with confidence but she put her kick too close to the ‘keeper who saved at the second attempt. Her swift clearance downfield found the home side out of position at the back and West Ham opened the scoring. Such is football!
The Corringham girls continued to battle bravely but found themselves outgunned in midfield and opportunities to get forward were rare. The Hammers doubled their lead on 21 minutes, but shortly afterwards Farley broke through on the right-hand side, only to see her goal-bound shot headed off the line by a quick thinking defender. On the half hour mark the Rockettes were handed another scoring chance after a hand ball right on the edge of the box but Lauren Riddick’s powerful free kick just cleared the bar. Two minutes later centre back Caroline Sheppard appeared to impede her own goalkeeper and the ball ran free to allow the visitors a soft third goal.
In truth, the Rockettes were not too disappointed to go into the half time interval with the score at 3-0. Pre-match injury worries over three players had proved well founded and after an enforced reshuffle the excellent Drake, none the worse for her penalty miss, was now starring in the centre of defence. With the wind at their backs in the second half there were high hopes that the scoreline could be contained within reasonable bounds.
Unfortunately the Hammers didn’t quite see it that way, swarming forward in an incessant wave of attacks and running in five goals in the process without reply. The closest Rockettes came to a goal was an opportunist long range effort from Tia Hart that sailed over the bar.
This was the first time that the Rockettes have lost a game since 19th November 2006. They need to pick themselves up quickly and regroup because next Sunday they host arch rivals Harlow Town in the game that may well decide the outcome of the Division B Championship. Despite being on the wrong end of eight goals, home ‘keeper Sophie Mingay had an outstanding game, notching up no less than 35 saves!
Team: Sophie Mingay; Courtney McGovern, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Sophie Drake, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Emma Smith, Hayley Earley, Justine Palmer, Lauren Riddick, Mae Town.
Whilst the score might have been predictable – the Hammers girls have racked up league scores of 22-0, 20-1 and 15-1 already this season – the manner in which it was achieved was not. The gulf in class between the top of the two divisions was clear to see, but East Thurrock fought hard until the dying minutes and while the Hammers margin of victory was considerable it was not a true reflection of the effort put in by the home side.
Rockettes started brightly and matched their more illustrious opponents stride for stride in the opening minutes. With eight minutes gone they had a golden opportunity to take the lead as Kealy Farley found herself with a run on goal and a clumsy challenge resulted in the award of a penalty kick. Midfielder Sophie Drake strode forward with confidence but she put her kick too close to the ‘keeper who saved at the second attempt. Her swift clearance downfield found the home side out of position at the back and West Ham opened the scoring. Such is football!
The Corringham girls continued to battle bravely but found themselves outgunned in midfield and opportunities to get forward were rare. The Hammers doubled their lead on 21 minutes, but shortly afterwards Farley broke through on the right-hand side, only to see her goal-bound shot headed off the line by a quick thinking defender. On the half hour mark the Rockettes were handed another scoring chance after a hand ball right on the edge of the box but Lauren Riddick’s powerful free kick just cleared the bar. Two minutes later centre back Caroline Sheppard appeared to impede her own goalkeeper and the ball ran free to allow the visitors a soft third goal.
In truth, the Rockettes were not too disappointed to go into the half time interval with the score at 3-0. Pre-match injury worries over three players had proved well founded and after an enforced reshuffle the excellent Drake, none the worse for her penalty miss, was now starring in the centre of defence. With the wind at their backs in the second half there were high hopes that the scoreline could be contained within reasonable bounds.
Unfortunately the Hammers didn’t quite see it that way, swarming forward in an incessant wave of attacks and running in five goals in the process without reply. The closest Rockettes came to a goal was an opportunist long range effort from Tia Hart that sailed over the bar.
This was the first time that the Rockettes have lost a game since 19th November 2006. They need to pick themselves up quickly and regroup because next Sunday they host arch rivals Harlow Town in the game that may well decide the outcome of the Division B Championship. Despite being on the wrong end of eight goals, home ‘keeper Sophie Mingay had an outstanding game, notching up no less than 35 saves!
Team: Sophie Mingay; Courtney McGovern, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Sophie Drake, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Emma Smith, Hayley Earley, Justine Palmer, Lauren Riddick, Mae Town.
Player of the match: Sophie Drake
Colchester Town (A) - 13th January, 2008
Colchester Town 1 - East Thurrock United Ladies 5
3 mins Kealy Farley (21mins, 52 mins, 53 mins, 61
mins) Tia Hart (58 mins)
Having not played a match of
any kind since 25th November, it was no surprise that the Rockettes found
themselves out of sorts when they resumed league action at Colchester
on Sunday after their extended Christmas break.
With Wickford Town’s
withdrawal from the League having been confirmed during this period, both the
league table and fixture list are showing significant changes. Rockettes now find themselves in the enviable
position of ending their season with a run of three home games, but their
destiny will likely be decided over the next three weeks that see vital league
encounters with Leyton Orient and Harlow
Town and a cup quarter
final showdown with the all-conquering West Ham United girls from Division A.Rockettes day started badly
when it was reported that the A12 had been closed by an accident when the team
had barely left Rookery Hill. Some hasty
revisions to the travel plan saw the girls arrive in Colchester
only half an hour later than scheduled and the match kicked off only 10 minutes
late.On a bumpy pitch, with a
gale force wind blowing across it, Rockettes looked a shadow of the team that
despatched these opponents 9-0 in October and could have no complaints when the
home side took an early lead. A miscued
clearance led to a succession of corners and at the third attempt the wind
curled the ball over Sophie Mingay’s finger tips and into the top corner of the
net without another player touching it.Having gone behind,
Rockettes failed to respond in the manner expected and it took nearly 20
minutes before they pulled themselves level.
Chelsea Hinz cut in from the right and played the ball into the path of Kealy
Farley who finished with aplomb.With half of the first
period remaining, the Corringham girls never looked like seizing control of the
game. The midfield failed to string
their customary passing game together and Farley and her strike partner Sophie
Dowman were constantly flagged offside.Half time brought the anticipated
wake up call from Head Coach Scott Farley
and the second half soon saw the regular partnership of Lauren Riddick and
Hayley Williamson (returning from injury) restored in the centre of
midfield. With Hinz and Tia Hart now
free to play in their familiar wide roles, Rockettes were shaken out of their
lethargy and scored four goals in a devastating nine minute spell.First Farly gave Rockettes
the lead when she cut in from the left and beat the keeper with a low shot from
the edge of the area. A minute later she
popped up on the right to complete her hat-trick by lobbing the ‘keeper. Then Hart got in on the act and made it four
with an even more audacious 25 yard lob from left after being set up by
Williamson. Finally Farley made it four for the match, and 20 for the season, after
bursting through the centre and firing home.With a quarter of the match
still remaining, it looked as if Rockettes might go on to run up a big score. In fact, they slipped back into mediocrity and
had Mingay to thank for three superb saves, two at point blank range late in
the game, to maintain the scoreline at 5-1.
This win sees East Thurrock consolidate their second place in the table, two points behind leaders Harlow Town but with a game in hand. Coach Farley knows they will have to up their game significantly if they are to take all three points when they visit Leyton Orient next Sunday.Team: Sophie Mingay; Courtney McGovern, Caroline Sheppard, Kelsey Bridges, Charley Sayer-Payne; Hayley Earley, Chelsea Hinz, Tia Hart,Mae Town; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Emma Smith, Hayley Williamson, Justine Palmer, Lauren Riddick.Player of the match: Kealy Farley
This win sees East Thurrock consolidate their second place in the table, two points behind leaders Harlow Town but with a game in hand. Coach Farley knows they will have to up their game significantly if they are to take all three points when they visit Leyton Orient next Sunday.Team: Sophie Mingay; Courtney McGovern, Caroline Sheppard, Kelsey Bridges, Charley Sayer-Payne; Hayley Earley, Chelsea Hinz, Tia Hart,Mae Town; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Emma Smith, Hayley Williamson, Justine Palmer, Lauren Riddick.Player of the match: Kealy Farley
Leyton Orient A.S.S. (H) - 25th November 2007 - League Cup Round One
East Thurrock United Ladies 4 - Leyton Orient A.S.S. 1own goal (8 mins) 13 mins
Tia Hart (14 mins)
Kealy Farley (17 mins)
Mae Town (69 mins)
East Thurrock United Ladies progressed to the quarter finals of the U16 League Cup with a comfortable victory over Leyton Orient, the only team to take league points off them this season. There was to be no repeat of September’s thrilling 4-4 draw as the Rockettes took control of the game in the first twenty minutes and refused to allow the East London girls to get back into it.
East Thurrock took an early lead after a right wing corner from Chelsea Hinz was turned into her own net by an unfortunate defender after 8 minutes. However, the lead lasted only five minutes before a miscued goal kick from Sophie Mingay was rifled straight into the net by a grateful Orient striker. The same player had shot over with the goal at her mercy moments before.
Within a minute the Rockettes were ahead again. Right back Courtney McGovern played a long ball down the wing to Hinz who picked out Tia Hart on the far side of the box with an inch perfect pass and she volleyed the ball into the top corner of the goal. Three minutes later the lead was extended to 3-1 as Kealy Farley played a neat one-two with Sophie Dowman before slotting the ball home.
By now the Rockettes clearly had the measure of Orient but they suffered a blow five minutes before the break when captain Charley Sayer-Payne was the victim of a savage scissor tackle and was taken to hospital with damaged knee and ankle ligaments. She was replaced at left back by Emma Smith.
Orient had a great opportunity to get back into the game seconds after the restart, but they missed an open goal. That would prove to be their best chance of the second half and the game settled into a stalemate punctuated only by Dowman’s header against the crossbar just after the hour. With ten minutes to go, substitute Mae Town put the game out of reach when she latched on to a pass from Dowman and slotted the ball past the Orient ‘keeper at her near post.
East Thurrock took an early lead after a right wing corner from Chelsea Hinz was turned into her own net by an unfortunate defender after 8 minutes. However, the lead lasted only five minutes before a miscued goal kick from Sophie Mingay was rifled straight into the net by a grateful Orient striker. The same player had shot over with the goal at her mercy moments before.
Within a minute the Rockettes were ahead again. Right back Courtney McGovern played a long ball down the wing to Hinz who picked out Tia Hart on the far side of the box with an inch perfect pass and she volleyed the ball into the top corner of the goal. Three minutes later the lead was extended to 3-1 as Kealy Farley played a neat one-two with Sophie Dowman before slotting the ball home.
By now the Rockettes clearly had the measure of Orient but they suffered a blow five minutes before the break when captain Charley Sayer-Payne was the victim of a savage scissor tackle and was taken to hospital with damaged knee and ankle ligaments. She was replaced at left back by Emma Smith.
Orient had a great opportunity to get back into the game seconds after the restart, but they missed an open goal. That would prove to be their best chance of the second half and the game settled into a stalemate punctuated only by Dowman’s header against the crossbar just after the hour. With ten minutes to go, substitute Mae Town put the game out of reach when she latched on to a pass from Dowman and slotted the ball past the Orient ‘keeper at her near post.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Courtney McGovern, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Emma Smith, Justine Palmer, Leigh Wainford, Mae Town
Player of the match: Caroline Sheppard
Assandun Vikings (A) - 11th November 2007
Assandun Vikings 1 - East Thurrock United Ladies 4 Kealy Farley (8 mins, 63 mins)
Tia Hart (56 mins)
Sophie Dowman (69 mins)
Tia Hart (56 mins)
Sophie Dowman (69 mins)
East Thurrock United Ladies put themselves three points clear at the top of the league but they had to work hard against a determined and well organised Assandun team who threatened to cause an upset for the first hour of the game.
The match started badly for the Rockettes when ‘keeper Sophie Mingay appeared to deflect a left wing corner into her own goal with just two minutes on the clock. However, they soon pulled level after Kealy Farley latched on to an excellent through ball from Courtney McGovern on the left. After the two early goals there was no further score in the first half although the Vikings constantly took the game to the Corringham girls and were unlucky to go in with the scores level.
With the half time words from Head Coach Scott Farley still ringing in their ears, the Rockettes immediately showed more urgency from the start of the second period and gradually began to take control of the game. The pressure finally told on the home defence after 56 minutes. Farley broke down the right and was fouled ten yards out from the goal line. Chelsea Hinz floated the free kick into the centre of a crowded penalty box, the home ‘keeper could only parry Farley’s header and Tia Hart was on hand to finish with her left foot.
That goal visibly lifted the pressure off the visitors and they began to pass the ball more fluently. They should have gone further ahead five minutes later but Hinz suffered the agony of seeing her shot hit the crossbar for the fifth time this season. There was no such disappointment for Farley ‘though as she raced on to a long ball from Sophie Drake and scored with a powerful shot. Leading scorer Sophie Dowman, who had a quiet match by her standards, rounded off the scoring as she waltzed around the ‘keeper and tapped the ball into an empty net with ten minutes remaining.
This win means the Rockettes will now complete a 12 month unbeaten run as their last defeat was on 19th November 2006, and they do not play again until 25th November.
After the game Scott Farley said, “In the first half we didn’t have any shape or movement and struggled against a very well organised team. After a stern half time talk we managed to get the ball down and play the kind of football that has seen us go unbeaten for a year, a mark not many clubs can say they have reached”.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Leigh Wainford, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne, Emma Smith; Chelsea Hinz, Tia Hart, Sophie Drake, Courtney McGovern; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Hayley Earley, Hayley Williamson, Justine Palmer, Lauren Riddick, Mae Town.
The match started badly for the Rockettes when ‘keeper Sophie Mingay appeared to deflect a left wing corner into her own goal with just two minutes on the clock. However, they soon pulled level after Kealy Farley latched on to an excellent through ball from Courtney McGovern on the left. After the two early goals there was no further score in the first half although the Vikings constantly took the game to the Corringham girls and were unlucky to go in with the scores level.
With the half time words from Head Coach Scott Farley still ringing in their ears, the Rockettes immediately showed more urgency from the start of the second period and gradually began to take control of the game. The pressure finally told on the home defence after 56 minutes. Farley broke down the right and was fouled ten yards out from the goal line. Chelsea Hinz floated the free kick into the centre of a crowded penalty box, the home ‘keeper could only parry Farley’s header and Tia Hart was on hand to finish with her left foot.
That goal visibly lifted the pressure off the visitors and they began to pass the ball more fluently. They should have gone further ahead five minutes later but Hinz suffered the agony of seeing her shot hit the crossbar for the fifth time this season. There was no such disappointment for Farley ‘though as she raced on to a long ball from Sophie Drake and scored with a powerful shot. Leading scorer Sophie Dowman, who had a quiet match by her standards, rounded off the scoring as she waltzed around the ‘keeper and tapped the ball into an empty net with ten minutes remaining.
This win means the Rockettes will now complete a 12 month unbeaten run as their last defeat was on 19th November 2006, and they do not play again until 25th November.
After the game Scott Farley said, “In the first half we didn’t have any shape or movement and struggled against a very well organised team. After a stern half time talk we managed to get the ball down and play the kind of football that has seen us go unbeaten for a year, a mark not many clubs can say they have reached”.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Leigh Wainford, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne, Emma Smith; Chelsea Hinz, Tia Hart, Sophie Drake, Courtney McGovern; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Hayley Earley, Hayley Williamson, Justine Palmer, Lauren Riddick, Mae Town.
Player of the match: Sophie Drake
RSA Basildon Girls (H) - 4th November 2007
East Thurrock United Ladies 13 – RSA Basildon Town 2Kealy Farley (9 mins, 15 mins, 34 mins, 70 mins)
Sophie Dowman (10 mins, 21 mins, 30 mins, 39 mins, 42 mins, 55 mins)
Hayley Williamson (29 mins)
Courtney McGovern (51 mins)
Sophie Drake (65 mins)
East Thurrock United Ladies are now just one game away from going a year without defeat after demolishing RSA Basildon Girls at Rookery Hill on Sunday morning. Leading scorer Sophie Dowman helped herself to a double hat-trick to take her season’s tally to 17 from seven games with strike partner Kealy Farley notching four (13 from 7). These two are now well on their way to beating last season’s tally when they shared 51 goals between them (26-25).
Farley opened the scoring on Sunday with a ninth minute strike and Dowman doubled the lead a minute later. RSA pulled a goal back from a controversial free kick soon after when home ‘keeper Sophie Mingay was adjudged to have handled outside the area. However, this was not the start of a fightback and Rockettes would find the net a further eleven times before RSA’s second goal rounded off the match.
By half time the score had raced on to 8-1 – four for Dowman, three for Farley and the first of the season for hardworking midfielder Hayley Williamson, who lobbed the ‘keeper from long range.
After the break the tempo of the game eased slightly as Rockettes took their foot off the gas pedal and the substitutions came thick and fast. Courtney McGovern had the honour of bringing up double figures for the first time as she scored her first ever league goal in the 51st minute. Dowman added two more either side of that and Sophie Drake, showing her versatility by playing centre back in this game, made it twelve by driving into the top corner from outside the box after a corner had been cleared straight out to her.
Farley finished the rout she had started by completing the scoring for East Thurrock ten minutes from time, but the goal of the game came five minutes later. The RSA #10 smashed a hopeful ball forward, virtually from the half way line, and was both astonished and delighted to see it take a wicked bounce over Mingay and fly into the net.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Courtney McGovern, Sophie Drake, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Emma Smith, Hayley Earley, Justine Palmer, Leigh Wainford, Mae Town.
Farley opened the scoring on Sunday with a ninth minute strike and Dowman doubled the lead a minute later. RSA pulled a goal back from a controversial free kick soon after when home ‘keeper Sophie Mingay was adjudged to have handled outside the area. However, this was not the start of a fightback and Rockettes would find the net a further eleven times before RSA’s second goal rounded off the match.
By half time the score had raced on to 8-1 – four for Dowman, three for Farley and the first of the season for hardworking midfielder Hayley Williamson, who lobbed the ‘keeper from long range.
After the break the tempo of the game eased slightly as Rockettes took their foot off the gas pedal and the substitutions came thick and fast. Courtney McGovern had the honour of bringing up double figures for the first time as she scored her first ever league goal in the 51st minute. Dowman added two more either side of that and Sophie Drake, showing her versatility by playing centre back in this game, made it twelve by driving into the top corner from outside the box after a corner had been cleared straight out to her.
Farley finished the rout she had started by completing the scoring for East Thurrock ten minutes from time, but the goal of the game came five minutes later. The RSA #10 smashed a hopeful ball forward, virtually from the half way line, and was both astonished and delighted to see it take a wicked bounce over Mingay and fly into the net.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Courtney McGovern, Sophie Drake, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Emma Smith, Hayley Earley, Justine Palmer, Leigh Wainford, Mae Town.
Player of the match: Kealy Farley
Harlow Town (A) - 28th October 2007
Harlow Town 3 - East Thurrock United Ladies 42 mins, 8 mins, Lauren Riddick (32 mins)
28 mins Kealy Farley (51 mins)
Sophie Dowman (62 mins)
Chelsea Hinz (80+1 mins)
The Rockettes came into this game defending an unbeaten record that stretches back 50 weeks, but they were behind for most of the match. At half time, with the score at 1-3, Head Coach Scott Farley told Manager Nigel Payne that they would win the match in the last minute and, just as predicted, a goal from Chelsea Hinz that came 1 minute and 40 seconds into added time snatched all three points for the Corringham side. In truth, this was hard on a Harlow team that battled gallantly for the whole game and deserved to take something from it.
The match began badly for East Thurrock as a mix-up in central defence allowed the home side to take the lead with just 80 seconds on the clock. It became worse when striker Kealy Farley contrived to score a bizarre own goal from fully 30 yards, shortly after missing an open goal at the other end. Playing uphill and into driving rain, the visitors began to claw their way back into a match that was being badly disrupted by a fussy referee who seemed to think that there should be absolutely no physical contact between female players. One such decision, for obstruction, resulted in Harlow going three up from a well executed free kick.
Coach Farley brought on the experienced duo Charley Sayer-Payne and Hayley Williamson who had both returned from holidays on the eve of the match. This was the signal for the Rockettes fight-back to begin in earnest and their own dead-ball expert Lauren Riddick soon reduced the deficit with a superbly flighted free kick from a very long way out.
As the game moved into the second half the momentum swung to East Thurrock but the anticipated goals were slow to come. Farley pulled another one back with a long range strike on 51 minutes but Hinz was frustrated on the hour as she struck the woodwork yet again this season. However, just a couple of minutes later she played a short corner to Riddick who swept the ball on to Williamson and Sophie Dowman was able to poach an equaliser from close range – her eleventh goal from six games.
Rockettes were now firmly camped in the Harlow half as they sought the winner. Riddick drove another free kick against the crossbar with just three minutes left but that just served to set the scene for Hinz’s rousing finale.
After the game Farley commented, “The conditions were really horrible today and the girls did well to keep pushing right to the end. It was a shame that the referee decided to take centre stage and ruin a good game with some very strange decisions. The Harlow management team were equally disappointed with him. It should be a great game when they come to Rookery Hill in February.”
Team: Sophie Mingay; Leigh Wainford, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Emma Smith; Chelsea Hinz, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart, Courtney McGovern; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs:Charley Sayer-Payne, Hayley Earley, Hayley Williamson, Kiyah McNab, Mae Town.
The match began badly for East Thurrock as a mix-up in central defence allowed the home side to take the lead with just 80 seconds on the clock. It became worse when striker Kealy Farley contrived to score a bizarre own goal from fully 30 yards, shortly after missing an open goal at the other end. Playing uphill and into driving rain, the visitors began to claw their way back into a match that was being badly disrupted by a fussy referee who seemed to think that there should be absolutely no physical contact between female players. One such decision, for obstruction, resulted in Harlow going three up from a well executed free kick.
Coach Farley brought on the experienced duo Charley Sayer-Payne and Hayley Williamson who had both returned from holidays on the eve of the match. This was the signal for the Rockettes fight-back to begin in earnest and their own dead-ball expert Lauren Riddick soon reduced the deficit with a superbly flighted free kick from a very long way out.
As the game moved into the second half the momentum swung to East Thurrock but the anticipated goals were slow to come. Farley pulled another one back with a long range strike on 51 minutes but Hinz was frustrated on the hour as she struck the woodwork yet again this season. However, just a couple of minutes later she played a short corner to Riddick who swept the ball on to Williamson and Sophie Dowman was able to poach an equaliser from close range – her eleventh goal from six games.
Rockettes were now firmly camped in the Harlow half as they sought the winner. Riddick drove another free kick against the crossbar with just three minutes left but that just served to set the scene for Hinz’s rousing finale.
After the game Farley commented, “The conditions were really horrible today and the girls did well to keep pushing right to the end. It was a shame that the referee decided to take centre stage and ruin a good game with some very strange decisions. The Harlow management team were equally disappointed with him. It should be a great game when they come to Rookery Hill in February.”
Team: Sophie Mingay; Leigh Wainford, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Emma Smith; Chelsea Hinz, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart, Courtney McGovern; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs:Charley Sayer-Payne, Hayley Earley, Hayley Williamson, Kiyah McNab, Mae Town.
Player of the match: Sophie Mingay
Hoddesdon Owls (A) - 14th October 2007 - League Cup Preliminary Round
Hoddesdon Owls 2 - East Thurrock United Ladies 9Sophie Dowman (5)
Lauren Riddick (3)
Kealy Farley
East Thurrock United Ladies extended their unbeaten run to five games this season in the Preliminary Round of the U16 League Cup at Hoddesdon on Sunday afternoon. The Rockettes earned their place in the First Round proper after the comprehensive demolition of their Division A opponents - not so much a giant-killing as a massacre.
Head Coach Scott Farley made a few changes from the team that beat Colchester Town last week, bringing Chelsea Hinz and playmaker Lauren Riddick back into the starting line-up. On a steeply sloping pitch, the Rockettes got off to a fine start by taking a two goal lead within ten minutes. The first came from a move rehearsed on the training ground in midweek as great vision from Riddick sent Kealy Farley racing down the wing and her cross was met by the head of Sophie Dowman who gave the ‘keeper no chance.
The Rockettes were on fire, but their lead was quickly halved when a defensive mix up allowed an Owls midfielder to smash home from just inside the box. This was the wake-up call they needed and the two goal cushion was rapidly restored with another fine finish from Dowman. By now East Thurrock were in complete control and Riddick made it four with a great free kick from outside the box. However it wasn’t all plain sailing as first Hoddesdon pulled a second goal back and then influential centre back Kelsey Bridges was taken to hospital with a broken finger and badly bruised hand before Dowman completed a first half hat-trick after another top class move.
Farley said, "I was very pleased with the way we worked as a team in the first half and at times our football was a joy to watch. It is so sweet to see a move you work on in training pay off in a game with two of our goals coming straight off the training ground".
The second half started the way the first had ended with Hoddesdon being put under intense pressure. It was only a matter of time before their defence crumbled and some great work down the left by Hinz allowed Dowman to poach her fourth goal with an easy header into an empty net. With Dowman going on to collect her fifth, Riddick completing her hat-trick and Farley smashing home a half volley, the Rockettes earned themselves a home tie against Leyton Orient on 25th November.
After the match Farley reflected, "I was very pleased with the way we all stayed focused for the whole game. It is so easy to lose concentration when you are dominating a game for long periods of time but we kept our shape and our work rate was second to none. We now have a break before travelling to league newcomers Harlow Town on 28th October.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Emma Smith, Kelsey Bridges (c), Caroline Sheppard, Leigh Wainford; Sophie Drake, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart, Chelsea Hinz; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Courtney McGovern, Hayley Earley, Justine Palmer, Mae Town
Player of the match: Kealy Farley
Head Coach Scott Farley made a few changes from the team that beat Colchester Town last week, bringing Chelsea Hinz and playmaker Lauren Riddick back into the starting line-up. On a steeply sloping pitch, the Rockettes got off to a fine start by taking a two goal lead within ten minutes. The first came from a move rehearsed on the training ground in midweek as great vision from Riddick sent Kealy Farley racing down the wing and her cross was met by the head of Sophie Dowman who gave the ‘keeper no chance.
The Rockettes were on fire, but their lead was quickly halved when a defensive mix up allowed an Owls midfielder to smash home from just inside the box. This was the wake-up call they needed and the two goal cushion was rapidly restored with another fine finish from Dowman. By now East Thurrock were in complete control and Riddick made it four with a great free kick from outside the box. However it wasn’t all plain sailing as first Hoddesdon pulled a second goal back and then influential centre back Kelsey Bridges was taken to hospital with a broken finger and badly bruised hand before Dowman completed a first half hat-trick after another top class move.
Farley said, "I was very pleased with the way we worked as a team in the first half and at times our football was a joy to watch. It is so sweet to see a move you work on in training pay off in a game with two of our goals coming straight off the training ground".
The second half started the way the first had ended with Hoddesdon being put under intense pressure. It was only a matter of time before their defence crumbled and some great work down the left by Hinz allowed Dowman to poach her fourth goal with an easy header into an empty net. With Dowman going on to collect her fifth, Riddick completing her hat-trick and Farley smashing home a half volley, the Rockettes earned themselves a home tie against Leyton Orient on 25th November.
After the match Farley reflected, "I was very pleased with the way we all stayed focused for the whole game. It is so easy to lose concentration when you are dominating a game for long periods of time but we kept our shape and our work rate was second to none. We now have a break before travelling to league newcomers Harlow Town on 28th October.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Emma Smith, Kelsey Bridges (c), Caroline Sheppard, Leigh Wainford; Sophie Drake, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart, Chelsea Hinz; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Courtney McGovern, Hayley Earley, Justine Palmer, Mae Town
Player of the match: Kealy Farley
Colchester Town (H) - 7th October 2007
East Thurrock United Ladies 9 - Colchester Town 0Sophie Drake (24 mins, 41 mins, 52 mins, 75 mins)
Kealy Farley (38 mins, 42 mins, 44 mins, 70 mins)
own goal (62 mins)
East Thurrock United Ladies went into this game equal on points at the top of the table with Leyton Orient. The Rockettes embarked on a Sunday morning goal-fest to record a victory that left them a point clear of second placed Barking Ladies by the end of the day.
Head Coach, Scott Farley, made a number of changes to his starting line-up, resting several of his regular players to give other squad members more match experience. The Rockettes got off to a jittery start and should have found themselves behind after only six minutes. Right back Justine Palmer made a clumsy challenge on the edge of the area and referee Daniel Foord had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. The Colchester player hit her spot kick hard but too close to goalkeeper Sophie Mingay who saved her team mate’s blushes by making a comfortable save.
The home side continued to make hard work of breaking down a stubborn Colchester side and Farley was forced to introduce Sophie Drake and then Chelsea Hinz to add width to his attack. It was Drake, making her home debut, who finally made the breakthrough, bursting through the visitor’s back line and coolly rounding the goalkeeper in the 24th minute. Even then East Thurrock failed to impose themselves on the game and experienced playmaker Lauren Riddick was brought off the bench to bolster central midfield.
Kealy Farley doubled the lead just before half time, but as the players headed for the dressing room they must have known what reception awaited them. Coach Farley said, “I was bitterly disappointed with the way we played in the first half. Our defence was all over the place and the midfield were second to every ball. But for the penalty save we could well have found ourselves behind at half time. We were very fortunate to be leading 2-0”.
The second half started with another change as club captain Charley Sayer-Payne made an unexpected return from injury at left back. The half time ‘roasting’ clearly had the desired effect because within four minutes the Rockettes had scored three goals and killed off the game. First Drake doubled her tally with a chip over the ‘keeper then Farley raced to her hat-trick by scoring twice in two minutes, the second a trademark one-on-one. Not to be out done, Drake soon notched her own hat-trick by skilfully curling a left wing corner directly into the goal just minutes after Sophie Dowman had had a header ruled out for offside.
Just past the hour, a Colchester player finally got on the score sheet, but not in the way she would have wanted, as the unfortunate left back lobbed the ball over her own goalkeeper to make the score 7-0. By now the Rockettes were rampant and ‘Player of the Match’ Drake and Farley each helped themselves to a fourth goal to provide a timely boost to their side’s goal difference.
After the match Farley reflected, “I knew we had the potential to run up a big score today and I was delighted with the way they responded in the second half. The news that Leyton Orient have lost makes it all the sweeter. We have the distraction of a visit to Division A Hoddesdon in the cup next week but, quite honestly, my focus is on winning the league and we have to make the most of games like today’s.”
Team: Sophie Mingay; Justine Palmer, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Emma Smith; Hayley Earley, Hayley Williamson, Tia Hart, Mae Town; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Charley Sayer-Payne, Chelsea Hinz, Courtney McGovern, Lauren Riddick, Sophie Drake
Head Coach, Scott Farley, made a number of changes to his starting line-up, resting several of his regular players to give other squad members more match experience. The Rockettes got off to a jittery start and should have found themselves behind after only six minutes. Right back Justine Palmer made a clumsy challenge on the edge of the area and referee Daniel Foord had no hesitation in awarding a penalty. The Colchester player hit her spot kick hard but too close to goalkeeper Sophie Mingay who saved her team mate’s blushes by making a comfortable save.
The home side continued to make hard work of breaking down a stubborn Colchester side and Farley was forced to introduce Sophie Drake and then Chelsea Hinz to add width to his attack. It was Drake, making her home debut, who finally made the breakthrough, bursting through the visitor’s back line and coolly rounding the goalkeeper in the 24th minute. Even then East Thurrock failed to impose themselves on the game and experienced playmaker Lauren Riddick was brought off the bench to bolster central midfield.
Kealy Farley doubled the lead just before half time, but as the players headed for the dressing room they must have known what reception awaited them. Coach Farley said, “I was bitterly disappointed with the way we played in the first half. Our defence was all over the place and the midfield were second to every ball. But for the penalty save we could well have found ourselves behind at half time. We were very fortunate to be leading 2-0”.
The second half started with another change as club captain Charley Sayer-Payne made an unexpected return from injury at left back. The half time ‘roasting’ clearly had the desired effect because within four minutes the Rockettes had scored three goals and killed off the game. First Drake doubled her tally with a chip over the ‘keeper then Farley raced to her hat-trick by scoring twice in two minutes, the second a trademark one-on-one. Not to be out done, Drake soon notched her own hat-trick by skilfully curling a left wing corner directly into the goal just minutes after Sophie Dowman had had a header ruled out for offside.
Just past the hour, a Colchester player finally got on the score sheet, but not in the way she would have wanted, as the unfortunate left back lobbed the ball over her own goalkeeper to make the score 7-0. By now the Rockettes were rampant and ‘Player of the Match’ Drake and Farley each helped themselves to a fourth goal to provide a timely boost to their side’s goal difference.
After the match Farley reflected, “I knew we had the potential to run up a big score today and I was delighted with the way they responded in the second half. The news that Leyton Orient have lost makes it all the sweeter. We have the distraction of a visit to Division A Hoddesdon in the cup next week but, quite honestly, my focus is on winning the league and we have to make the most of games like today’s.”
Team: Sophie Mingay; Justine Palmer, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Emma Smith; Hayley Earley, Hayley Williamson, Tia Hart, Mae Town; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Charley Sayer-Payne, Chelsea Hinz, Courtney McGovern, Lauren Riddick, Sophie Drake
Player of the match: Sophie Drake
Barking Ladies (A) - 30th September 2007
Barking Ladies 3 - East Thurrock United Ladies 410 mins, 14 mins, Kealy Farley (35 mins)
51 mins Sophie Dowman (50 mins)
Chelsea Hinz (54 mins)
Sophie Dowman (58 mins)
The Rockettes arrived at top-of-the-table Barking to find themselves facing a below strength side. However, on an under-sized pitch they struggled to take advantage of their good fortune before eventually running out 4-3 winners and replacing their hosts at the top of the table.
Barking stunned the Rockettes by romping into a two goal lead in only 14 minutes, prompting Head Coach Scott Farley to introduce experienced players Kealy Farley and Lauren Riddick from the bench. Barking were still getting to the ball first, but Rockettes gradually began to get back into the match and Kealy Farley pulled a goal back for the visitors five minutes before half time.
At the interval Farley challenged his players to play the football they are capable of and seize the opportunity to take top spot for themselves. No outfield changes were made but goalkeeper Sophie Mingay was complaining of feeling light-headed and debutant Sophie Drake, who had begun the match up front, donned the gloves for the second half.
Drake was soon called upon to make a couple of saves that quickly settled any nerves and boosted her confidence. After nine minutes of stalemate Chelsea Hinz struck the woodwork from distance for the second week running, but just a minute later Rockettes were level. Sophie Dowman latched onto a through ball and beat the goalkeeper with a crisp finish. However, it took Barking just a few seconds to regain their advantage. Straight from the restart the Barking centre forward noticed that Drake had strayed off her line and beat the back-pedalling ‘keeper with an audacious lob from the halfway line.
This setback only served to galvanise Rockettes even more and Hinz quickly restored parity with a superb chip of her own. The visitors continued to sweep forward and Dowman gave them the lead for the first time in the game when she pounced on a fumble from the home goalkeeper.
The spirited Barking girls refused to give up and rattled Rockettes’ nerves when their centre forward struck the crossbar with a powerful free kick from outside the area. However, the girls from Rookery Hill were not going to let a 4-3 lead slip two games in a row and shut out the home side to claim all three points.
Farley said, "We found it hard to adapt our game to the smaller pitch in the first half, which sometimes happens, and struggled to gain an advantage. At half time I told the girls that if we played the kind of football I know we can play and started working for each other then it would only be a matter of time before the pressure would tell and force them into mistakes. I was pleased with the way we got the ball wide in the second half which helped us stretch them and impose our pattern of play on the game.”
Team: Sophie Mingay; Justine Palmer, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Emma Smith; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Tia Hart, Courtney McGovern; Sophie Drake, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Kealy Farley, Lauren Riddick, Hayley Earley, Mae Town, Leigh Wainford
Player of the match: Courtney McGovern
Barking stunned the Rockettes by romping into a two goal lead in only 14 minutes, prompting Head Coach Scott Farley to introduce experienced players Kealy Farley and Lauren Riddick from the bench. Barking were still getting to the ball first, but Rockettes gradually began to get back into the match and Kealy Farley pulled a goal back for the visitors five minutes before half time.
At the interval Farley challenged his players to play the football they are capable of and seize the opportunity to take top spot for themselves. No outfield changes were made but goalkeeper Sophie Mingay was complaining of feeling light-headed and debutant Sophie Drake, who had begun the match up front, donned the gloves for the second half.
Drake was soon called upon to make a couple of saves that quickly settled any nerves and boosted her confidence. After nine minutes of stalemate Chelsea Hinz struck the woodwork from distance for the second week running, but just a minute later Rockettes were level. Sophie Dowman latched onto a through ball and beat the goalkeeper with a crisp finish. However, it took Barking just a few seconds to regain their advantage. Straight from the restart the Barking centre forward noticed that Drake had strayed off her line and beat the back-pedalling ‘keeper with an audacious lob from the halfway line.
This setback only served to galvanise Rockettes even more and Hinz quickly restored parity with a superb chip of her own. The visitors continued to sweep forward and Dowman gave them the lead for the first time in the game when she pounced on a fumble from the home goalkeeper.
The spirited Barking girls refused to give up and rattled Rockettes’ nerves when their centre forward struck the crossbar with a powerful free kick from outside the area. However, the girls from Rookery Hill were not going to let a 4-3 lead slip two games in a row and shut out the home side to claim all three points.
Farley said, "We found it hard to adapt our game to the smaller pitch in the first half, which sometimes happens, and struggled to gain an advantage. At half time I told the girls that if we played the kind of football I know we can play and started working for each other then it would only be a matter of time before the pressure would tell and force them into mistakes. I was pleased with the way we got the ball wide in the second half which helped us stretch them and impose our pattern of play on the game.”
Team: Sophie Mingay; Justine Palmer, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Emma Smith; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Tia Hart, Courtney McGovern; Sophie Drake, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Kealy Farley, Lauren Riddick, Hayley Earley, Mae Town, Leigh Wainford
Player of the match: Courtney McGovern
Leyton Orient A.S.S. (H) - 23rd September 2007
East Thurrock United Ladies 4 - Leyton Orient A.S.S. 4Tia Hart (29 mins) 22 mins, 52 mins, 67 mins, 80+4 mins
Kealy Farley (60 mins)
Sophie Dowman (64 mins)
Kealy Farley (68 mins)
Rockettes and Leyton Orient played out a pulsating draw in the U16 Essex County Girls Football League at Rookery Hill on Sunday morning. The day started badly for the Rockettes with the news that goalkeeper Sophie Mingay was unwell and confined to bed. Without a second string ‘keeper in the squad, midfielder Courtney McGovern bravely stepped into the breach.
The game got off to a cagey start with both sides testing each other out, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 22nd minute after slack marking in the Rockettes defence. Rockettes responded well to this set back and drew level just seven minutes later when Tia Hart was left with a simple tap in.
The second half started with Rockettes taking the game to Orient, so it was a surprise when a superb solo effort put the visitors’ ahead again against the run of play, shortly after a powerful strike by Chelsea Hinz had rattled their crossbar. Kealy Farley restored parity with a confident finish from the right side of the box on the hour and strike partner Sophie Dowman eased Rockettes in front for the first time with a similar goal four minutes later. Sadly Rocks’ lead lasted just three minutes before an exquisite Orient chip just brushed McGovern’s outstretched finger tips before dropping under the bar.
Things got a whole lot worse a minute later when Dowman was shown a straight red card by referee Daniel Foord for raising her hands to an Orient player. Dowman, top scorer last season, later reported that the defender had been treading on her feet the whole game. Her loss through suspension will be a serious blow to the team.
Rockettes reorganised their formation and, with only two of the scheduled 80 minutes remaining, Farly looked to have won it for the home side with her second goal of the game. However, the points were shared after Orient used their numerical advantage to throw bodies forward and levelled the game after Rocks failed to clear a corner in the fourth minute of added time.
Team: Courtney McGovern; Leigh Wainford, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Emma Smith; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Hayley Earley, Mae Town, Justine Palmer
The game got off to a cagey start with both sides testing each other out, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 22nd minute after slack marking in the Rockettes defence. Rockettes responded well to this set back and drew level just seven minutes later when Tia Hart was left with a simple tap in.
The second half started with Rockettes taking the game to Orient, so it was a surprise when a superb solo effort put the visitors’ ahead again against the run of play, shortly after a powerful strike by Chelsea Hinz had rattled their crossbar. Kealy Farley restored parity with a confident finish from the right side of the box on the hour and strike partner Sophie Dowman eased Rockettes in front for the first time with a similar goal four minutes later. Sadly Rocks’ lead lasted just three minutes before an exquisite Orient chip just brushed McGovern’s outstretched finger tips before dropping under the bar.
Things got a whole lot worse a minute later when Dowman was shown a straight red card by referee Daniel Foord for raising her hands to an Orient player. Dowman, top scorer last season, later reported that the defender had been treading on her feet the whole game. Her loss through suspension will be a serious blow to the team.
Rockettes reorganised their formation and, with only two of the scheduled 80 minutes remaining, Farly looked to have won it for the home side with her second goal of the game. However, the points were shared after Orient used their numerical advantage to throw bodies forward and levelled the game after Rocks failed to clear a corner in the fourth minute of added time.
Team: Courtney McGovern; Leigh Wainford, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Emma Smith; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Lauren Riddick, Tia Hart; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Hayley Earley, Mae Town, Justine Palmer
Player of the match: Tia Hart
Little Thurrock Dynamos (A) - 16th September 2007
Little Thurrock Dynamos 2 - East Thurrock United Ladies 412 mins, 20 mins Sophie Dowman (40+1 mins, 79 mins)
Lauren Riddick (49 mins)
Tia Hart (64 mins)
East Thurrock United Ladies kick started their season with a 4-2 win over local rivals Little Thurrock Dynamos at the Orsett Showground on Sunday.
After a scrappy start to the game in which both teams found it hard to get the ball down and play due to the swirling wind and hard, bumpy pitch, L.T.D. made the break through after a mix up in the East Thurrock defence. The pressure continued from the restart with wave after wave of L.T.D. attacks. With the wind in their faces, East Thurrock found it hard to break out on the attack and it was only a matter of time before L.T.D. doubled their lead.
With the half already in stoppage time, an East Thurrock attack resulted in handball by an L.T.D. defender and the penalty kick was slotted home coolly by Sophie Dowman. 2-1 down at half time - a result head coach Scott Farley said he would have taken before the start considering the conditions.
The second half started in pretty much the same fashion as the first but this time it was L.T.D. on the back foot with the wind in their faces. After relentless pressure, and some great play down the left hand side, Lauren Riddick pulled the Rockettes level with a great strike from outside the box.
By this time L.T.D. were pinned into their own half as East Thurrock piled on the pressure in search of the winner. A debut goal from Tia Hart, just past the hour mark, put their noses in front and a second from Sophie Dowman a minute from time was enough to kill off a spirited L.T.D. side.
Farley said, “The wind and the pitch were a nightmare today and stopped us playing the kind of football I know the girls can play. I was pleased to reach half time only 2-1 down and knew that in the second half we would be camped in their half for long periods of the game. I told the girls at half time that if we stayed focused and kept our shape then I was confident we could go on a win the game.”
A serious ankle injury to club captain Charlie Sayer-Payne, sustained when she put her foot down a hole in the pitch, will rule her out of action for a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks.
Team: Sophie Mingay; Emma Smith, Kelsey Bridges, Caroline Sheppard, Charley Sayer-Payne; Chelsea Hinz, Hayley Williamson, Tia Hart; Courtney McGovern; Kealy Farley, Sophie Dowman. Subs: Kiyah McNab, Hayley Earley, Lauren Riddick, Leigh Wainford, Justine Palmer