A spirited display from Kent saw them battle hard against Middlesex but fall to a 2-0 defeat at Corinthian FC.

The pitch was in good condition considering the recent bad weather that has swept across the country and both teams set out to play football from the first whistle.

Kent had the first two chances of the match when Elsa Ejupi had her low drive tipped round the post for a corner before Daniella Schmitd De Menezes was denied by another good save. Kent were then indebted to their own goalkeeper, Sade Rider, as she pulled off a great save to deny the visitors from taking the lead. Middlesex came close again on the half hour mark when they hit the post before Kent went up the other end and a goalmouth scramble led to Emma Healy seeing her effort blocked. Sade Rider was again called upon in the goal to keep the scores level as half time approached and Kent could have taken a lead into the interval, but the impressive Elsa Ejupi had an effort well saved to ensure the game was 0-0 at the break.

The second half began in similar fashion with both teams on the front foot, and it was Elsa Ejupi who was once again causing problems for the visiting defence and her cross-cum-shot was well saved. An injury to Billy Burgess caused a reshuffle in the Kent side and this may have contributed to them falling behind shortly after - a well-placed shot beat Sade Rider and found the bottom corner. Five minutes later and Kent came so close to drawing level, Amelia Bate crossed into the box and Elsa Ejupi saw her effort rattle back off the bar. The visitors took full advantage of this let off by doubling their lead with twenty minutes remaining. A corner was swung in and headed home at the near post. Kent pushed forward in search of a goal to get back into the match which left gaps in the defence, but Sade Rider pulled off several fantastic saves to deny the visitors. Time ticked down and Kent could not find a way past the stubborn Middlesex defence and the match ended with a 2-0 win for the visitors.

A fantastic game of football and a superb advert for Representative football.

Kent FA: Sade Rider (Aylesford FC), Billy Burgess (Millwall FC), Layla Crouch-Salmon (Leyton Orient FC), Holly Diamond (Ashford United FC), Faith Cullen-Cooper (Ashford United FC), Stephanie Adby (Herne Bay FC), Emma Healy (Aylesford FC), Elsa Ejupi (Hashtag United FC), Nicole Pepper-Scott © (Ashford United FC), Daniella Schmitd De Menezes (Millwall FC), Beth Senior (Ashford United FC), Gabby Buddle-Smith (Sutton United FC), Milly Penfold (Aylesford FC), Amelia Bate (Welling United FC).

The final match of the season for the Women’s Representative team takes place on Wednesday 26th February when they host Essex FA at Corinthian FC with a 7.45pm kick off.