Essex Women hold on against Kent to set up up a thrilling finale with Middlesex
A SECOND-half rally from Kent Women saw the visitors recover from a two-goal deficit to earn a share of the points against Essex at Parkside.
The home county had led 2-0 at the break thanks to a brace from Millie Isherwood, but the visitors from across the Thames hit back through Tasha Hurst and Katy Skelton, the equaliser arriving in the dying moments of the Southern
Counties Cup contest.
Despite the late setback, Kim Coster knows her Essex side will still be crowned champions if they can defeat Middlesex in a mouthwatering season finale at Rectory Park in Northolt on March 13.
Essex started brightly, and an early effort on goal from Isherwood was gathered by Kent goalkeeper Ash Naismith ahead of another low drive from the Bowers Ladies forward zipping just past the post. The home side’s lead arrived on 27 minutes, however, as Naismith spilled a looping pass and
Isherwood was on-hand to tap home the loose ball.
A mazy run by Essex winger Maya Lane ended with a curling attempt dropping just wide before the lead was doubled in style three minutes prior to the interval. Isherwood curled a fabulous 25-yard strike into the top right-hand corner.
Kent halved the deficit as the hour mark approached when
Hurst’s dipping long-ranger found the back of the net.
Naismith kept her county in the game, making a fine intervention to deny Karesha Iton, then Essex stopper Emily Mackler produced her own terrific save and tipped Hurst’s effort from a few yards over the top of the crossbar.
Essex’s Charlotte Bryant spotted Naismith off her line later on, but a lob from distance dropped narrowly off-target before a chance for Kent saw Jodie Cain fire over the top having picked up a loose ball inside the box.
There was another late scare as Cain angled a shot inches wide, but Kent did level the scores on 90 minutes, Skelton smashing into the roof of the net.