Jai-cee Green scored a hat-trick as Sittingbourne hit double figures in the Merit Under-13 Girls Cup final.

Green struck twice in the first half and completed her treble after the break in an excellent team performance against Margate.

Gate, who missed a penalty at 4-0 down, never gave up - typified by determined defending from centre-backs Stella Wills and Willow Alentis - but their opponents proved too strong on the day.

There were doubles for Lola Kelly and Isla Davis, while the outstanding Ada-Mae Chitima was also among the scorers in the 10-0 victory.

Esme Huxted was dominant at the back for Sittingbourne and also caught the eye with her long throws.

It was the second of three cup finals this season for Bourne, who play in Division 3 of the Maidstone Youth Boys League.

“I’m proud of the girls,” said manager Jonathan Hayes.

“They’ve played really well, not just today, but in the rounds leading up to it.

“Respect to Margate, they are a Division 2 side in the Kent Girls and Ladies League, and they’ve done brilliantly to get to the final, but we’ve beaten some Division 1 sides on the way.

“I thought we played really good football, particularly in the second half, keeping the game simple.

“Margate were unlucky not to score with the penalty.

“It was a shame for them that they didn’t get a goal but we haven’t conceded all the way through to the final.”

Luci Griffin broke the deadlock with a seventh-minute tap-in after a superb run down the left by the dangerous Chitima.

Green scored her first of the morning two minutes later, coolly lifting the ball over keeper Pippa Martin.

Chances were flowing for Sittingbourne and they extended their lead in the 17th minute when Green intercepted a goal-kick just outside the area and broke into the box before slotting home.

The goal of the game followed as Sittingbourne went 4-0 up in the 26th minute, Kelly collecting a midfield pass from Naomi Bumstead and lobbing Martin from the edge of the area.

Margate were awarded a penalty by referee Ruby Sullivan for Huxted’s challenge on Amelia Lendrum just past the half-hour mark.

Niamh Bough stepped up but her kick went wide.

Kelly hit the bar for Sittingbourne in the 35th and final minute of the first half.

Bourne weren’t about to sit on their lead as they chased further goals after the break.

Their fifth arrived four minutes into the second half although it was harsh on keeper Martin, who made a double save from Trixy-Lou White and Kelly, only for Kelly to finish the loose ball.

Kelly scored again a minute later, turning the ball home on the goalline after Martin got her hand to a Layla Arnold corner.

Sittingbourne pulled clear with four goals in the final eight minutes.

Green completed her hat-trick with another composed finish from Kelly’s pass on 62 minutes.

There was a second for Kelly two minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball in the box.

Brooke Hall finished off the inside of the far post after running on to a Chitima pass.

And Chitima scored a thoroughly deserved goal with an emphatic finish at the death after latching on to a through ball.

Margate: Pippa Martin, Willow Alentis, Stella Wills, Millie Clarke, Isabella Woodgate, Tilly Tiltman, Freya Parker, Niamh Bough, Stephanie Elsley, Maisie Chittenden, Amelia Lendrum. Subs: Roo Hart, Lexi Kuhl, Grace Warrington, Oli Richards.

Sittingbourne: Chloe Barrett, Esme Huxted, Beaux Whitehead, Kaiya Lucas, Oliwia Bohonos, Trixy-Lou White, Brooke Hall, Layla Arnold, Jai-cee Green, Ada-Mae Chitima, Luci Griffin. Subs: Lola Kelly, Holly Molloy, Isla Davis, Naomi Bumstead, Ella Marshall.

Referee: Ruby Sullivan.