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Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup Final: Rising Stars 1 Langton Green 4

Langton Green produced their best performance of the season on the big occasion to lift the Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium on Sunday.

Player-of-the-match Brianna Raymond made one and then scored twice to fire her side to glory.

Langton Green under-13s celebrate their success. Picture: PSP Images
Langton Green under-13s celebrate their success. Picture: PSP Images

Manager Nick Davy said: “I’m delighted, the girls have been good all season but that's probably the best 70 minutes we've played, against a really good side.

“A few have played here before which I think helped but there's no one shy in the group and they turned up and put on a show.

“Brianna has been fantastic in the last few weeks, in particular, and is good to have in the squad. Everyone who played at the back was outstanding, along with the two in midfield and Poppy Williams as well.

Player-of-the-match Brianna Raymond on the ball for Langton Green under-13s. Picture: PSP Images
Player-of-the-match Brianna Raymond on the ball for Langton Green under-13s. Picture: PSP Images

“We’ve got three games left in the league and if we win all three then we’ll win that, if we don’t then we probably won’t.”

Rising Stars also had plenty of excellent players on show, led by captain Lucy Stringer in defence, who made two timely interceptions in the early exchanges.

Green keeper Sophie Howes made a brave early save but was able to continue despite initially staying down.

Action from the Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup Final between Rising Stars and Langton Green. Picture: PSP Images
Action from the Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup Final between Rising Stars and Langton Green. Picture: PSP Images

The breakthrough arrived on nine minutes when Raymond’s vision played in Poppy Williams who evaded Stringer’s last-ditch challenge and slotted home.

Three minutes later, Isla Davy set up Raymond whose clinical right-foot finish made it 2-0.

Stars managed to survive the flow of Langton attacks without further damage and got themselves back into the contest on 26 minutes. Stringer’s free-kick into the penalty area was caught in the swirling wind and when Howes failed to collect, the alert Amelie Fielding scored into an empty net.

Langton Green’s Olivia Mulholland brings the ball forward during the Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup Final. Picture: PSP Images
Langton Green’s Olivia Mulholland brings the ball forward during the Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup Final. Picture: PSP Images

It was no more than Stars deserved, Grace O’Sullivan was particularly prominent while Zhana Ward never shied away from a challenge despite lacking the physical strength of some of her opponents.

Green made it 3-1 just before half-time, though, when an excellent Jess Baugh inswinging corner from the left was met by Williams at the far post.

At the other end, Adriana Algar stood out in defence for Green while Martha Crompton’s long-range shot went just over the bar.

Goalmouth action from the Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup Final at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium on Sunday. Picture: PSP Images
Goalmouth action from the Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup Final at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium on Sunday. Picture: PSP Images

There were fewer chances in the second half but Raymond remained prominent to the action, scoring her second goal on 55 minutes to make it 4-1 with a neat left-foot finish after good work by Olivia Mulholland.

Green captain Jessie Kay nearly capped an impressive personal display with the fifth goal but her long-range shot went just wide of the upright.

Raymond then played in Isla Talbot but her early effort forced a good save from keeper Isla Sidders.

Rising Stars - defeated in the Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup Final. Picture: PSP Images
Rising Stars - defeated in the Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup Final. Picture: PSP Images

Rising Stars: Isla Sidders, Lucy Stringer, Amelia Cousins, Bella Boas, Maisie Kemp, Lois Seery, Zhana Ward, Amelie Fielding, Freya Darch, Lottie Martin, Annalie Rennells, Maci Polly-Chamberlin, Grace O’Sullivan, Georgia Knight, Amelia Hills, Ramashka Caplin.

Langton Green: Sophia Howes, Adriana Algar, Scarlett Hamilton, Sienna Giannangelo, Isla Talbot, Jessie Kay, Saoirse Ward, Jess Baugh, Isla Davy, Brianna Raymond, Poppy Williams, Martha Crompton, Sophia Perkins, Olivia Mulholland, Millie Lynch, Lorelei Stockton.

Referee: Dotty Blagden.

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