Essex go top of the East Anglian Counties Womens Championship (From Thurrock Gazette)

Essex go top of the East Anglian Counties Womens Championship

7:00am Friday 29th January 2010

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Essex took pole position in the East Anglian Counties Women’s Championship as second-half goals courtesy of Braintree Town attacker Zoe Rushen and debutant Carla Rose from Brentwood Town earned a terrific 2-1 win over Norfolk at Stanway Rovers FC’s Hawthorns base.

“This was a huge victory for us,” proclaimed boss Kim Coster after the game, which saw the hosts climb to the top of the table. “I’m aware we’re also now in a fantastic position with two games to go to win the title. That’d be terrific but we still have a lot to do. Once again the girls were fantastic and they are a pleasure to work with.”

Victory over Suffolk in the final fixture will guarantee the Championship returns to Essex for the first time in five years, but it could be clinched with three points from February’s trip to Hertfordshire should Suffolk not beat Norfolk the previous night. Essex find themselves in this position after inflicting a first defeat on holders Norfolk since their previous visit to the county in April 2008. Coster’s side narrowly missed out on the silverware that evening, but will be eager to make sure they go one better this time.

This tie was fairly deadlocked in the first half. An early chance for the visitors saw Kate Parsons poke Beth Bygrave’s corner wide and Kate Longhurst came close for Essex, smashing an angled shot into the stanchion after a neat pass by Kayleigh Xidhas. Longhurst then saw another effort flash over the top and home ‘keeper Hollie Dimambro did well to deny Nicola Bray and Paige Shorten as the first period ended all-square.

Nicola Carty saw her free-kick pushed away by ‘keeper Holly Clarke early in the second half before the home county took the lead on 56 minutes, a thumping 25-yard free-kick from Rushen finding the roof of the net, leaving Clarke with no chance. The lead was soon doubled within three minutes, neat play by Laken Duchar-Clark and Longhurst finding Rose who finished confidently beyond Clarke.

Xidhas could have put the game beyond doubt as she picked-up Carty’s chipped cross before flicking a shot over the top, while Longhurst would also have looked to do better as she struck high when through on goal. With two minutes left, Norfolk gave themselves a lifeline through Bygrave’s curling shot from range that beat substitute stopper Dominique Hume, but Coster’s side comfortably held for a deserved victory.

Essex: Hollie Dimambro (Billericay), Claire Pavett (Chelmsford City), Laken Duchar-Clark (Colchester United), Sarah Bovington (Billericay), Paris Smith (West Ham United), Vanessa Wilson (Billericay), Kayleigh Xidhas (West Ham United), Hayley Spallin (Colchester United), Nicola Carty (Enfield Town), Zoe Rushen (Braintree Town), Kate Longhurst (Watford). Substitutes (repeated): Olivia Worsfold (Brentwood Town), Carla Rose (Brentwood Town), Dominique Hume (Brentwood Town), Nicole Manning (Brentwood Town).

Norfolk: Holly Clarke (Norwich City), Laura Thacker (Norwich City), Hayley Peverely (Norwich City), Jemma Smythe (Norwich City), Kate Parsons (Norwich City), Gemma Farman (Norwich City), Emily Coates (Hethersett Athletic), Beth Bygrave (Norwich City), Nicola Bray (Norwich City), Jodie Drake (Norwich City), Paige Shorten (Norwich City). Substitutes (repeated): Claire Rennie (Norwich City), Emma Fletcher (Norwich City), Shelley Woods (West Lynn), Emma Mulley (Hethersett Athletic), Chelsea Garrett (Norwich City).

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