Southend United are crowned the Essex Women's Trophy Champions!
The two teams battled it out for the full 90 minutes but it was Southend United who were victorious in the Essex Women’s Trophy Final at Burroughs Park.
Southend United flew out the blocks and had a Pert shot cleared off the line in the opening minutes, after she was played through and shot past Toby ‘keeper Hayes. In the 12th minute, Southend capitalised on their early pressure. Pert ran down the right before hitting a cross that looped over ‘keeper Hayes and landed in the back of the net to put Southend 1-0 up.
Southend continue their early dominance, with a Fragnito shot that went wide after Toby ‘keeper Hayes had come off her line quickly to intercept a through ball. In the 18th minute, Southend doubled their lead. The ball fell nicely to Wilson who smashed a half volley in the bottom corner.
Not long after, Wilson had another chance, but this time her shot flashed just wide of the Toby goal. In the 24th minute, Toby worked their way into the game with their first chance. Gallacher was played through on goal but she couldn’t keep her shot down and it flew just over the bar.
Just before half time, both sides had a chance to score. Jones ran down the right wing for Toby before crossing to Gallacher, who headed wide. Pert, then squandered a chance for Southend, shooting over from the right hand side of the box, taking us into the break with Southend leading 2-0.
Toby started the second half quickly, with a spell of pressure without being able to convert it into any real chances. Kavanagh came closest, but the ball just wouldn’t fall for her to shoot inside the box and it was cleared.
After that spell of pressure, Southend United scored again to make it 3-0. The two goal scorers combining well, with Pert crossing to Wilson who headed home to add to her tally and leave Southend three to the good.
Toby had a couple of chances as they looked to get back into the game. First with a Jones shot that went just wide after she had done well to get to the ball ahead of Southend ‘keeper Molly Lee. Jones was then once again denied by Lee, who palmed her shot wide for a corner.
Toby did then deservedly get a goal back in the 85th minute. A long ball over the top from Fletcher played Jones through on goal who beat everyone to the ball and made no mistake with the finish. Seconds later, they nearly added a second but Lee was quick off her line and smothered the ball.
Lee once again made another important save, this time getting down well to deny Adcock from giving Toby late hopes of a comeback. The referee then blew the whistle for full time, with the game finishing 3-1.
Southend United Squad: Molly Lee, Abbie Rex, Jordan Castle, Georgia Wilson, Issy Walling, Emily Pert, Cristina Fragnito, Amber Denton, Beth Cooper, Paige White, Lauren Johnson, Sian Hillis, Fran King, Katharine Pearson, Zoe Perks, Chloe Lyus.
Toby FC Squad: Enya Hayes, Kirsti McLeavy, Jodie Sanderson, Jade Kavanagh, Fran Browne, Ellie Jones, April Sykes, Becky Gallacher, Donna Fletcher, Kelsey Young, Charlotte Collins-Blaize, Grace Woolley, Rebecca Kemp, Taylor Adcock, Kiera Adcock, Connie Heather.
Referee: Steven Martin
Assistant Referees: Mariusz Burchan and David Dice
Fourth Official: Steven Seago
Attendance: 368
Congratulations once again to Southend United for winning the Essex Women’s Trophy! To stay up to date with all this season’s County Cup Finals, follow us on Twitter @EssexCountyFA and on Instagram (essexcountyfa).
Enjoy the Women's Trophy Final? Why not attend the BBC Essex Women's Cup Final at Colchester United's JobServe Community Stadium, as part of a Celebration of Female Football! Tickets are available and can be purchased by clicking the button below.