The first half was evenly contested with few chances at either end until Berks & Bucks took advantage of a defensive mix up to go ahead in the 37th minute. However, this lead was short-lived as Middlesex equalised almost immediately through a penalty awarded for a foul by the home goalkeeper. Beth Curtis converted the kick and half time arrived with the score at 1-1.
Middlesex stepped up a gear in the second half and went ahead in the 49th minute when Dee Smith converted Gemma Shepherd’s crossfield pass. 5 minutes later Claire Thomas headed Beth Curtis’s corner home to make the score 3-1 to Middlesex.
On the hour Gemma Rudman went close after seizing on Holly Sandow’s precise through ball. However, Middlesex went further ahead after 73 minutes when Dee Smith converted another good through ball this time from substitute Kate Holmes.
Vicky Elcome was outstanding in the Middlesex defence.
Becky Hipgrave, Gemma Rudman and Gemma Shepherd were all awarded their County Caps at the end of the match following 7 appearances for the County.
Final Score: Berks & Bucks 1 - 4 Middlesex
The final South East Counties League table reads:-
Middlesex 6 5 1 0 22 2 16
Hampshire 6 4 2 0 34 6 14
Sussex 6 4 0 2 25 14 12
Berks & Bucks 6 3 1 2 11 12 10
Kent 6 1 1 4 11 22 4
Surrey 6 0 2 4 3 18 2
Oxfordshire 6 0 1 5 2 34 1