Essex 3-1 Kent, Friday 21st April 2017, Kick-Off 7:00pm, Shenfield High School, SEESFA U-16s Girls Victoria Dodds Trophy Semi-Final.
Cowley netted three times in the second half to steer the hosts past their old adversaries, with Lucy Egan also missing a penalty. Molly Agnew’s header had given Kent hope when she equalised with ten minutes remaining, but instead Essex will have the opportunity to win the Victoria Dodds Trophy for the third time in four seasons.
Cowley attempted an effort from the edge of the penalty area in the 3rd minute which dropped inches over the crossbar. Sixty seconds later Ellie Barra delivered a corner to the near post that flicked off Kent defender Sophie Spencer-Webb and onto the top of the crossbar.
The first half action ended with Kelly Wealthall thumping a shot against the woodwork and although Cowley’s follow-up was then deflected out for a corner, she would not be denied early in the second period.
Almost straight from the restart, Lucy Egan set Cowley away and the forward then forced the ball beyond Kent keeper Grace Ware and bundled it over the line.
Cowley forced a full-stretch save by Ware and although she won a penalty for a push, Egan put the spot-kick wide.
Essex were rueing missed chances by the 70th minute, when Molly Agnes glanced the ball over Grace Staunton to make it 1-1.
Parity lasted a mere 3 minutes, a long ball over the top picking out the run of Cowley, who controlled the delivery and rounded Ware to tap into an unguarded net.
With 4 minutes remaining, Essex made sure of the victory as Cowley completed her hat-trick from Egan’s angled through-ball.
Essex will now be hoping to lift the Victoria Dodds Trophy for an eighth time when they face Bedfordshire later this season.
Source / photos – essexfa.com
