Reigning champions Middlesex recovered from an early set-back to inflict a 4-2 defeat on Essex at Aveley FC shortly before Christmas.

Laura Bunton handed the hosts a 16th-minute lead, but the visitors hit back before the break, taking an advantage into the interval thanks to efforts from Jenny Nagle and Anya Kinnane. Middlesex extended their lead early in the second half though Mai Louvier’s strike and, despite Daisy Canny pulling a goal back for Essex, the away side sealed all three points as Ashley Cheatley added a fourth.

The opening exchanges saw both sides enjoy some attacking play, Middlesex’s Louvrier having a shot well held by Essex goalkeeper, Emily Mackler. The Essex lead then arrived with 16 minutes played as Bunton’s initial shot was excellent saved by ‘keeper Emily Vigolo at the near post. A rebound was blocked on the line, but Bunton smashed her third attempt high into the net.

Middlesex responded well as a good through ball found Shakira Kafero-Roberts, who pulled an angled effort just wide before Kafero-Roberts found herself in on goal again, bringing a brilliant low save from Mackler. But the visitors levelled on 36 minutes, the ball bouncing around the six-yard box and Nagle stabbing the ball in on the goal line.

Middlesex threatened again as Kinnane skipped past Mackler, but her shot was cleared off the line by Nicole Farmer. However, the pressure did pay off in the final minute of the half as Alissa Down’s corner found Kinnane, whose header crept in via the foot of the far post. There was still time for Essex to respond in first-half stoppage time as Olivia Harris’ corner fell to Farmer, but her effort zipped inches over the top.

Six minutes after the re-start, Middlesex gave their hosts a mountain to climb as Louvrier’s high, 20-yard effort flew in to give her side a 3-1 advantage. Essex stopper Mackler then kept her side in the contest with a neat save to deny Cheatley before Nagle hit the rebound wide.

The hosts reduced the deficit on 61 minutes, Harris’ right-flank corner being headed home by Canny. However, Middlesex’s response was inside two minutes as they added a fourth, with Kafero-Roberts pulling a low ball back for Cheatley to coolly convert inside the six-yard box.

Middlesex’s Down saw a long-range effort fly inches over the top in the dying stages as the away side held on for all three points.

Essex: Emily Mackler (Southminster United), Lauren Butcher (Chelmsford City), Abu Clarke (Hutton), Nicole Farmer (Luton Town), Niamh Gamble (Colchester United), Daisy Canny (Hutton), Lindsey Morgan (Colchester United), Laura Bunton (Barking), Charlotte Bryant (Lawford), Whitney Locke (Bowers & Pitsea), Olivia Harris (Bowers & Pitsea). Substitutes: Amy Powell (Bowers & Pitsea), Kirsten Lane (Toby), Kaci Crook (Chelmsford City), Darcy Drewitt (Bowers & Pitsea), Donna Fletcher (Toby).

Middlesex: Vigolo, Carnevale, McCrea, Duncan, Keightley, Petit, down, Cheatley, Durn, Kafero-Roberts, Kinnane. Substitutes: Currivan, Potter, Dixon, Nagle, Louvrier.