Bunton leads from front to outgun Army
HAT-TRICK IS ESSEX FIRST SINCE 2005
ESSEX Women put on a five-star show to keep their Southern Counties Cup hopes alive as the Army were swept aside at the Military Stadium in Aldershot.
Laura Bunton became the first Essex player to score a hat-trick since March 2005 as Kim Coster’s side dominated throughout in a 5-0 victory, with Whitney Locke and Chloe Woolaway also contributing the first goals of their county careers.
The win saw Essex bounce back in style following December’s narrow reverse at home to Jersey and, with other results going their way, victory in the final two fixtures of the campaign against Kent and Middlesex would secure the title.
Essex began on the front foot and their intentions were clear when Holly Turner’s effort struck the foot of the post with just three minutes played, before Turner was quickly denied again. This time, her header brought a fine save from Army goalkeeper Georgia Smith.
With only seven minutes played, Essex were ahead, though, as Locke fired in at the near post having seen her initial effort blocked.
The away side’s pressure continued, as Turner fired an angled strike inches wide before Locke slid a shot wide following a great interchange with Bunton. Turner then flashed another shot inches over the bar prior to the lead being doubled on 27 minutes, Bunton bursting into the box and finishing with a low drive into the far corner.
Turner rattled the crossbar just two minutes later, but a third goal did arrive with 31 minutes played as Bunton rounded goalkeeper Smith and coolly slotted home.
The dying stages of the first half saw Turner twice denied by a post either side of Smith making another impressive save to deny Bunton.
Bunton was not going to be denied her hat-trick though, grabbing Essex’s fourth of the night as the forward curved a run into the area and finished into the far corner.
Shortly afterwards, Essex stopper Emily Mackler was called into action for the first time as she clung on to Alison Coucher’s effort.
The scoring was completed on the hour as substitute Millie Isherwood’s fine through ball picked out Woolaway, who finished confidently.
The Army came close to a consolation as Isobel Crooks’ free kick bounced off the top of the crossbar, but the final action of the contest saw Essex miss out on a sixth in stoppage time, Turner being denied from the penalty spot.
Essex are due to be in action tonight (Wednesday) when they host Kent at Aveley FC’s Parkside, kick-off 7.45pm.
Emily Mackler (Southminster United), Lucy Ogden (Billericay Town), Charlotte Collins-Blaize (Billericay Town), Jamie Newstead (Colchester United), Nicole Farmer (Bowers & Pitsea), Charlotte Bryant (Lawford), Ellie Nicholls (Southend United), Holly Turner (Ipswich Town), Laura Bunton (Barking), Chloe Woolaway (Southend United), Whitney Locke (Bowers & Pitsea). Cate Jackson (Lawford), Millie Isherwood (Bowers & Pitsea), Lily Chapman (Billericay Town), Maya Lane (Billericay Town), Millie D’Ath (Billericay Town).