Farley, Dowman and Stone hit right spot for Rocks' Ladies U18s (From Thurrock Gazette)

Farley, Dowman and Stone hit right spot for Rocks' Ladies U18s

11:50pm Monday 30th March 2009

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Barking Ladies U18 1 (Hayley Piggott (32 mins) East Thurrock United Ladies U18 3 Kealy Farley (4 mins) Sophie Dowman (52 mins), Laura Stone (90+3 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 number 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 number 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, 17 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. Story

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