Folkestone Ladies 1s travelled to Blackheath & Elthamians looking to extend their lead at the top of the table, and produced a commanding performance to return home with all three points.

Folkestone settled into the game well and opened the scoring early. Becky Wyatt showed great composure in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, slotting home a powerful strike to make it 1–0.

Blackheath responded with a quick counter-attack, forcing a frantic triple-shot goal-line scramble. Goalkeeper Becca Smith, supported superbly by defenders Steph Mill, Jo Bryen, Ash O and Lily Rockall, stood firm to keep Folkestone ahead. However, Blackheath soon found an equaliser with a clinical finish to make it 1–1.

Following a strong spell of possession hockey, Folkestone regained the lead when Liv Cheap produced a lovely deflection at the post to restore the advantage at 2–1. This goal unlocked confidence across the team, and it wasn’t long before Ash Taylor fired home Folkestone’s third to make it 3–1.

Despite travelling with a small 12-player squad, Folkestone continued to apply pressure. A well-won short corner was confidently converted by Layla Riley to extend the lead to 4–1. Excellent transfer through defence and midfield then created an opportunity for Izzy Prout, who finished clinically with a reverse hit to make it 5–1. Unfortunately, what initially looked like a celebration on the floor ? turned out to be an injury, with Izzy having to be carried from the pitch without even seeing her goal.

Reduced to the bare 11, Folkestone regrouped well at half-time, made some adjustments, and came out ready for the second half.

The pressure continued, and great possession play saw Hannah Harvey play a superb ball through to the forward line, allowing Becky Wyatt to score her second of the game, making it 6–1. Liv Cheap soon followed with another well-taken goal to push the score to 7–1.

Blackheath continued to threaten on the counter, but Folkestone’s defence remained resolute. A Blackheath shot then sparked a quick Folkestone counter-attack, with player of the match, Becky Wyatt finishing confidently in front of goal to complete her hat-trick and make it 8–1.

Just before the final whistle, some excellent team play ended with a perfectly weighted pass from Becca Shaw—who had been instrumental throughout the match—setting up Liv Cheap to complete her own hat-trick and seal a dominant 9–1 victory.

A fantastic all-round performance from the whole squad, who worked hard from start to finish and kept their intensity right until the final minute.