Folkestone Invicta Women secured the SECWFL Kent Division 2 East title on Sunday, a late win at Mersham coupled with defeat for Sellindge Ladies in their fixture at Hawkinge Town enough to crown Mark Janser’s side as Champions.

🏆 𝘿𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙍𝙊𝙊𝙈 𝙎𝘾𝙀𝙉𝙀𝙎 🍾 #fifc | 🟠⚫️ pic.twitter.com/qPT0vDTE8V

— Folkestone Invicta Women (@FIFCwomen) March 24, 2025

Invicta made the short trip to Mersham knowing that a win would be almost good enough to secure the title, due to their superior goal difference, but any dropped points for Sellindge would see the job done on the day.

Mersham Sports Club were Invicta’s first ever opponents when the sides last met at the Alcaline Stadium in September, Invicta running out 4-1 winners with Hayley Turrell scoring a first half hat-trick.

After a tense opening, top-scorer Turrell forced a superb first save of the afternoon, controlling a cross from the right before firing her effort goal-bound, the Mersham goalkeeper reacting quickly yo turn it over the crossbar. Turrell was denied again a few moments later from a corner, a header blocked and a rebound saved but Chloe Lloyd was on hand to hammer home from close range.

Left back Ria Lowery-Jones forced a save from the Mersham keeper but Invicta failed to assert dominance on the scoreline. Word amongst supporters was that Hawkinge were 2-0 up against Sellindge but Invicta were punished for an error 5 minutes before half time, a free kick parried back into a dangerous area before being scrambled into the net from close range.

Sellindge had pulled a goal back by the time Invicta headed in for half time all square. Invicta came out gunning for a second to retake the lead after the break, Turrell seeing an effort saved from close range as Mersham held firm.

Aaliyah Singh produced a fingertip save to deny Mersham the lead shortly before the hour mark, our hosts breaking quickly in behind the Invicta defence and an effort looking set for the bottom corner before Singh got down to push it around the post.

Invicta thought they had their breakthrough when the Mersham keeper spilled a free kick from Charley Kerry, Turrell falling over the goalkeeper as she tried to claim the ball before Mariella Greppi tapped into the net from close range, but the referee blew for a free kick to the hosts.

Turrell forced a good save with 20 minutes remaining, holding off one defender before beating another and looking destined to add to her 33 goal tally but denied by the Mersham goalkeeper.

With Sellindge now 3-2 up at Hawkinge, Invicta kept banging on the Mersham door, looking to at least put the champagne on ice, Turrell, Lloyd and Natalie Mellow all coming close to the breakthrough.

As we entered injury time hearts were in Invicta mouths again as Singh was fired low down to her right to deny Mersham a late winner. Singh’s kick was allowed to bounce inside the Mersham half, Turrell heading it behind the defence for Lloyd who beat her defender for pace and cut inside, a defender’s touch poked the ball in the direction of Turrell but before she could turn it home a maroon leg stretched to intervene and turned the ball beyond the keeper, Invicta’s bench erupting.

The final whistle blew, Invicta players huddled around the bench to hear news that Hawking now lead 4-3 against Sellindge with just minutes remaining. The players headed back to the dressing rooms to wait out of the rain. Confirmation came to those awaiting outside when cheers burst from the away dressing room. With 11 wins from 12 games, 33 points and a goal difference of +40, Folkestone Invicta Women are champions of the South East Counties Women’s Football League Kent Division 2 East 2024/25.

Invicta’s Women will now be focusing on Sunday’s trip to Larkfield in the Kent Divisional Cup quarter-finals, looking to go on and win and league and cup double. A trip to Ramsgate follows on Sunday 6th April before the final home game of the season, when we host Baypoint Seconds on Sunday 13th April.