Ladies 1's just miss out on promotion despite an impressive 6-2 win round off a fantastic season

Havering Ladies played host to Maldon knowing they had to win and hoping Redbridge would slip up away at Wapping to gain promotion straight back into the East League. They got off to a great start with Alex and Catherine Semon both going close. The sisters combined to put Havering ahead as Catherine converted Alex's pass. A second soon followed as Nic Earl slipped the ball to Alex who calmly dribbled around the defender and then keeper to score. Having looked like they would go on to dominate Havering then relaxed and allowed Maldon to come back into the game. The Havering defenders, Steph Prowse, Sue Harwood, Hollie Dawkins and Wendy Schofield, had to work hard to break down attacks. Keeper Tamara Bailey made some good saves but Maldon continued to press and finally managed to squeak a goal in. It looked like they were going to equalise very soon after but for a goal line clearance by Emily Gilkes-Tarsey. Havering began to rebuild after the scare and Vicky Lynch and Alex saw chances go just wide. Havering began the second half stronger than they had ended the first and put Maldon immediately under pressure. Amelia Acreman, Lauren Cash and Lauren Earl all began to find ways down the wings and through the middle connecting up with Catherine Semon and Vicky Lynch. A third goal came when Catherine Semon and Emily G-Tarseysaw shots saved but Emma Isherwood was able to pick up the rebound and smash the ball into the corner. Havering then dominated for a long period and a fourth goal came when Lynch drove into the circle and struck a fierce shot which a defender tried to clear but swept into her own goal. Soon after Alex had a shot saved and stopped when the ball appeared to hit a defender's foot. In the brief confusion Isherwood reverse swept the ball into the goal for Havering's fifth. Vicky claimed the sixth with another well struck shot. Maldon did not give up and pulled another back from a penalty corner. Havering finished the game 6-2 up but the convincing win proved not enough as Redbridge claimed a narrow 1-0 win to grab the sole promotion spot. Despite the disappointment Havering should be proud of the way they have played this season. They have definitely been one of the stronger teams in the league and will hope to go one better next season.