Billericay Town (Blues) lifted the Essex Under 14s Girls Cup as goals from Mollie Pattle, Millie Harris and Isabella Riley saw them win the final against Barking at Aveley FC.

First-half strikes from Pattle and Harris were complemented by a fantastic third from Riley five minutes from time, leaving Manager Billy McMahon to assess: “I’m delighted with the girls - they’ve worked really hard this year. They’ve been brilliant for me and Paul [Cross, Assistant Manager] and for the football club.”

He continued: “Nick Hutt’s [Chairman] a big supporter of the girls’ football at Billericay Town and he had our backing to push the girls all the way through, and I’m delighted for them. They’ve put so much effort in this year for me.”

Billericay took a 7th-minute lead. A low ball from the right into the danger area was waiting to be converted by someone, and Pattle arrived to score from a few yards. They were so close to a second seven minutes later when Pattle was lurking in the goalmouth once more, guiding the ball onto the post and back out again.

Some neat footwork in the 27th minute at the other end from Barking’s Tapiwa Kazembe, 15 yards from goal, enabled her to create a clear shooting opportunity, but her effort flew just wide. Town then built themselves a two-goal cushion on the stroke of half time. Harris tried her luck from distance and the ball squirmed over the line to double Billericay’s lead.

There was still time, straight from kick-off, for Kazembe to force a save from goalkeeper Evie Cross, who managed to keep hold of the ball. Kazembe again stung the palms of Cross the other side of the interval, Town’s custodian gathering the ball at the second attempt as Barking hunted for a way back into the contest.

Later, Riley went very close for Billericay as she took advantage of confusion in the Barking defence, but her lob from near the penalty spot bounced back off the crossbar. The Blues were keen to put the result beyond doubt and, just before the hour, Keavie Slattery and Aanya Miller tried to force the ball over the line. It did creep over eventually, but it had already been out of play.

On 65 minutes, however, the contest was concluded with a fantastic strike from Riley to make it 3-0. She received the ball on the edge of the area, took a touch, then swiftly swerved an unstoppable strike into the top corner. It was a comfortable result in the end, though it was a competitive game during the course of the 70 minutes.

For McMahon, Riley’s strike was a brilliant way to end the game: “She scored one in the quarter-final against Buckhurst Hill, who are another good team within our league. She scored one outside the box again, so she is known for it. That was a great finish just to seal the game, really.”

And he believes the talented squad of players have bright futures ahead of them: “The sky’s the limit. This group were a really, really talented group and I said this to them before: you don’t realise how good you are. I think today proved it. When you win the Essex Cup, it says that you’re the best team in Essex, so I’m delighted for the girls. I’m so happy for them.”

Barking: Frankie Bryan, Grace Rorke, Daisy Brown, Sasha Stoute, Tapiwa Kazembe, Mia Green, Tiana Williams, Dominyka Petrauskaite, Jasmine Amrane, Arba Ahmeti, Lottie Easton. Substitutes: Milena Kardas, Tamara Nenadovic, Hayley Itya, Zmanet Nikolaeva. Manager: Daniel Rorke.

Billericay Town (Blues): Evie Cross, Brooke McMahon, Millie Harris, Eliza Hobden, Mollie Pattle, Aanya Miller, Keavie Slattery, Isabella Riley, Ava Winterbourne, Bella Rees, Darcy Georgios. Substitutes: Issy Fordham, Amy Budd, Millie Bartlett. Manager: Billy McMahon.

Referee: Amelie Rowley.

Assistant Referees: Jonas Loffredo and Jaiden Weatherby.

Fourth Official: David Sturdy.

Attendance: 224.

Photos: Tiego Grenho.