by Phil Lightfoot

Island Girls 0
Redbridge Ladies South 3

(Essex County Girls League B Division, U12)

Redbridge got back to winning ways with a solid job in cold and windy but sunny conditions on Canvey Island.

Despite having the majority of possession early on, the girls were not creating many chances but, after 12 minutes, the deadlock was broken when a low effort from Sanderson evaded a forest of legs to strike the post and Mortimer was quickest to react from the rebound.

Grace twice and sub Walker were just off target before West curled a beauty into the top corner on the stroke of half time.

The second half saw further near misses from sub Ayinde and Walker, then Grace forced a save out of the Island keeper after a great run with the ball. Walker came close again after a through ball from Appleby but Island Girls were getting more into the game and stretching the Redbridge defence.

On 56 minutes, Edwards trying out in goal was called into serious action for the first time and proved up to the job by reaching high to catch a lobbed shot. In the 58th minute, Grace settled matters for Redbridge with a powerful shot from a narrow angle.

Sanderson, having handed over the keeper's gloves, showed what Redbridge's defence has missed with a player of the match performance.