Folkestone Invicta Women sealed a perfect end to their inaugural season, beating Lydd Town Ladies 3-0 to lift the SECWFL Kent Divisional Cup and complete a league & cup double.

A crowd of 417 flocked to Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium for the finale of both club’s seasons, both finishing off their league campaigns in style 4 days earlier with Invicta seeing off Baypoint Seconds 7-1 at Three Hills Sports Park while Lydd saw off Hawkinge Town 5-1 at The Lindsey Field.

Invicta headed into the final having taken the SECWFL Kent Division 2 East title, with Lydd finishing 6th. Invicta had taken all 6 points between the sides earlier in the season, a 7-1 win away from home in September followed by a 2-0 win at Church Road in February.

Mark Janser was able to name the league’s 2nd and 3rd highest scorers, Hayley Turrell and Chloe Lloyd, in his attack, as well as the 2nd strongest defence with Aaliyah Singh in goal behind a back 4 of Ria Lowery-Jones, Katie Philpott, captain Izzy Janser and Molly Surridge. Natalie Melloy and Charlie Kerry started in the centre of midfield, with Katelyn Luckett and Rebekah Goodhand on the wings. Lyvia Eades, Grace Kirk-Smith, Nyah Commons, Gianna Moscato and Mariella Greppi made up the bench.

Lydd were also able to name a strong goal threat, with 19-goal Paris Williams in attack and 17-goal fullback Lara Conceicao among their starting XI.

The sides made their way onto the field both accompanied by players from girls teams in their respective youth sections, Invicta with their U13 girls.

Lydd, the evening’s designated home team, kicked off the final attacking the large Genco Stand at the Gallagher Stadium, Invicta with a large contingent of supporters behind the goal at the Town End of the stadium. It didn’t take long for Lloyd to give the spectators a taste of what was to come, peeling onto the right and racing in behind the Lydd defence onto a pass from Luckett to force a good save from Mia Harris in the 8th minute.

Lloyd continue to trouble the Lydd defence with her pace, getting in behind again twice in the 17th minute, first to see a cross caught by Harris, then to fire over from a tight angle.

Having given Lydd 3 warnings, Lloyd punished them to open the scoring midway through the first half. Janser found the forward on the halfway line with a ball from the defence, Lloyd laying it off to Luckett and spinning in behind her defender. The ball from Luckett fell perfectly into Lloyd’s path, the forward taking a touch before firing under Harris to give Invicta the lead.

Lloyd was on the end of another identical chance a few minutes after the goal, a long free kick from Charley Kerry allowed to bounce by 2 defenders, Lloyd capitalising to collect it before firing just over the crossbar.

Invicta ahead at the break, top scorer Hayley Turrell was the first to threaten the Lydd goal in the 2nd half, racing into the box and cutting onto her right foot before firing wide.

Invicta didn’t have to wait long to extend their advantage, a mishit clearance in the middle of the pitch freed Lloyd in behind again, this time from the left side. The Invicta forward was too quick for the nearest defender, racing into the penalty area to finish off her second of the evening in the 54th minute.

Lydd weren’t out of the game however, a corner just before the hour mark lead to a goalmouth scramble that forced Aaliyah Singh into a save from point blank range to preserve Invicta’s 2-goal advantage.

Lloyd was on the end of a good chance to complete her hat-trick with 20 minutes remaining, substitute Nyah Commons finding her with a ball from the right, Harris diving to her left to make a good save that kept Lydd in the match.

Lydd came closest to cutting the deficit with 10 minutes to go, striking the top of the crossbar with a scooped effort from 12 yards.

Invicta killed the match with 5 minutes left, Lloyd sealing her hat-trick and player of the match in the process. Commons cleared a loose ball inside the Invicta half behind Lydd’s defence, Lloyd again showing her pace to beat all 3 green shirts to the ball before firing home with the outside of her right boot.

Invicta searched for a 4th in injury time as Melloy from distance and Goodhand with a looping effort inside the penalty area looked to get their names on the scoresheet but failed to beat Harris.

After 6 and a half minutes of added time, referee Vince Bottacchini called time on the cup final, and on the season. Invicta’s bench sprinted to their teammates on the pitch to embrace their teammates, celebrating the perfect end to an historic inaugural season for Folkestone Invicta Women.

Just 8 months on from our first women’s fixture, a 4-1 win over Mersham Sports Club at the Alcaline Stadium, captain Izzy Janser was presented with the Kent Divisional Cup, alongside the Kent Division 2 East trophy to mark their incredible double achievement.

Goalscorer Chloe Lloyd was unsurprisingly awarded the player of the match following her match-winning hat-trick.

After 24 games and 117 goals, Folkestone Invicta Women now call time upon their inaugural season and look ahead to the challenge of SECWFL Kent Division 1 East next season. Congratulations to all 20 players and our coaching staff Mark Janser & Rebecca Sheepwash for their incredible achievements this season.