The current holders of the championship, Middlesex, just about managed to overcome a much improved Kent team in a very well contested and entertaining game.
Scoring chances were spurned at both ends during the first half but Middlesex generally had the better ones, hitting the post twice. Also, they were not helped by a tendency to stray offside. Canterbury City striker, Debbie Burgess, had a goalbound attempt for Kent cleared off the Middlesex goalline early in the half.
Middlesex had a sustained spell of pressure just before half time during which the Kent goalkeeper, Tania Law, pushed a shot from Stacey Sowden onto the post and then made a fantastic double save from Dee Smith and Holly Sandow. Following this Kent switched play to the other end of the field and Debbie Burgess ran through the middle to put her side ahead right on the half time whistle.
However, directly after the interval, Holly Sandow equalised for Middlesex squeezing the ball in from an acute angle.
Then, after 67 minutes Stacey Sowden seized on a through ball to net what proved to be the winner. Play continued to swing from end to end with the Kent goalkeeper making a particularly good save from Cheryl Willams’ freekick. However, the score remained unchanged with the Middlesex defence surviving some heavy pressure in the dying moments of the match.
Middlesex team: Cherie Rowlands, Vicky Elcombe (both Barnet), Zoe Timberlake (Denham United), Becky Hipgrave (Barnet), Kerry Marlborough (capt) and Melissa de la Fuente (both Enfield Town), Dee Smith, Cheryl Williams, Gemma Rudman, Stacey Sowden and Holly Sandow (all Barnet).
Subs: Kelly Spencer (Denham United) for Holly Sandow, Charlotte Herson (Barnet) for Kerry Marlborough, Shannon Moloney (Enfield Town) for Zoe Timberlake. Alissa Down (Denham United) and Rebecca La Porte (Enfield Town).
Manager: John Abbott Physio: Georgina Kling.