Aveley became Essex Under 18s Girls Cup champions for 2024/25 as a Brody Brownlie hat-trick, two goals from Ayla Izzett and another from Zoe Tryfonos saw them overcome Broomfield (Reds) at Brentwood Town FC.

Three goals in each half enabled the Millers to lift the silverware, two of those strikes arriving in injury time. Joint-Manager Carl Orriss, who manages the side along with Callum Foley, was delighted with the victory: “Most of them are still 15, just turned 16. So, it’s a massive achievement to play up two years, and win three County Cup finals in a row. There’s not much more you can ask for, generally. It’s really exciting - I’m really pleased with it. Fantastic.”

Aveley went close on 12 minutes when Layla Mitchell headed over the crossbar from a few yards out, and Mitchell tried her luck again six minutes later, this time from distance, but Caitlyn Spenner was equal to it in the Broomfield goal. However, Aveley did take a 21st-minute the lead as Izzett converted from close range, a rebound from Lois Evans’ effort following a corner.

On the half-hour mark Broomfield came the close to finding the net themselves. Rannika Meade ran past her marker and toe-poked straight at goalkeeper, Rachel Pearce. At the other end a minute later, though, a foul in the area meant Brownlie was able to confidently step up and dispatch the resulting penalty into the bottom left-hand corner.

Broomfield remained resolute, and still couldn’t be ruled out. Meade fashioned a clear sight of goal, but an incredible rush out and block from ‘keeper Pearce thwarted her. That intervention became particularly crucial when Aveley potentially put the final beyond reach a minute before the half time interval. Brownlie executed an acrobatic finish to make it three.

It appeared to be a more even contest up until the third goal, and Orriss commented: “We played them in some other quarter-finals two weeks ago, and it was a very similar game. Two-nil until half-time, and then that third goal goes in, and I think that’s kind of the icing on the cake.”

Aveley further asserted their authority four minutes into the second half. After some build-up play on the left wing, the ball was squared inside to Tryfonos, who made no mistake from close range. And they nearly added to their lead when a ball was clipped through to Izzett, whose strike cleared the crossbar. Nicole Dillon almost registered a Broomfield consolation five minutes from time as she swerved at goal from long-range, but ‘keeper Pearce brought the ball under control.

In stoppage time, Aveley boosted their goal haul to six. One minute beyond the 90, Izzett added a fifth from a few yards with an expert finish on the volley after clever work down the right wing by Phoebe Orriss. Five minutes later, an excellent ball put Brownlie through on goal and she made no mistake in putting Aveley 6-0 in front.

Joint-Manager Orris was clear about what was next for the development his squad. He said: “They’ll go straight into the County Women’s League. We just feel that the challenge needs to be in the Essex Women’s League. And then just try and get into Tier 6 after that. Fantastic.”

Aveley: Rachel Pearce, Isabelle Foley, Lydia Dennison, Olivia Kelly, Lois Evans, Emily Quinlan, Phoebe Orriss, Holly Denwood, Gracie Oxby, Ayla Izzett, Layla Mitchell. Substitutes: Ruby Abela, Jess Boltwood, Brody Brownlie, Evie Smyth, Zoe Tryfonos. Managers: Carl Orriss and Callum Foley.

Broomfield (Reds): Caitlin Spenner, Leila-Mae Per, Lily-Anne Walsh, Ruby Clarke, Laura Sutton, Stephanie Allen, Lucy Nuttall, Hana Smith, Mia Housden, Ellie Hazell, Rannika Meade. Substitutes: Sophie Marsland, Morgan Willis, Alyssa Leslie, Nicole Dillon, Sophie Muir. Manager: Paul Goss.

Referee: Lee Harpaul.

Assistant Referees: Stephen Hull and Jason McFarlane.

Fourth Official: Alexander Warburton. 

Attendance: 274.