Essex Women’s Trophy Final Southendian 2 - 3 Writtle A GOAL 11 minutes into stoppage time from Emma Ridings sealed a dramatic Essex Women’s Trophy win for Writtle.

Courtney Clarke’s first-half strike had given Writtle a half-time lead, but quick-fire strikes from Liz Newcomb and Ellie Turner-Powell had edged Southendian ahead. Caroline Brown hauled Writtle back on terms prior to Ridings’ dramatic late winner.

Writtle, from Division Two of the Essex County Women’s League, started the game on the front foot and chances had already gone the way of Ridings and Mollie DeBell before the lead arrived on 26 minutes as Clarke found space just inside the area before placing a shot in the bottom corner.

The second-half made for a great spectacle as Newcomb’s half-volley levelled the arrears on 54 minutes before Turner-Powell’s strike three minutes later put the Essex County Women’s League Premier Division side ahead.

The lead lasted eight minutes as Brown’s speculative 20-yard effort caught out Southendian goalkeeper Lydia Tindell to make it 2-2 before a half littered with goals and injury stoppages was settled deep into added time.

A right-flank cross eluded the Southendian defence and Ridings was on-hand at the back post to seal the win.

Writtle boss Sharon Brownlie said: “We really kept going and you could see how pleased we were to grab the goal. It’s a fantastic end to the season. It wouldn’t have been possible without the excellent support from the whole Writtle club though.”