Lydd Ladies were looking for a reaction following last week’s disappointment, and they certainly delivered with an emphatic 7–0 victory over Sellindge.

The hosts started brightly, creating several early opportunities. One such chance was well saved by the Sellindge goalkeeper on nine minutes, resulting in a corner. Conceicao stepped up to deliver, and her corner flew straight into the net to give Lydd an early 1–0 lead.

The goal settled Lydd, who began to move the ball around confidently, making good use of the width provided by Williams and Marshall.

Lydd doubled their advantage on 22 minutes when Tanner won possession from a Sellindge goal kick. She turned her defender one way and then the other before lofting a superb finish over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net to make it 2–0.

Lydd continued to press and create chances. A long ball from Harris found Conceicao, whose effort was well saved by the goalkeeper. On 36 minutes, some excellent combination play released Williams on the left side of the box, but once again the Sellindge keeper produced a good save. Conceicao, however, was on hand to slot home the rebound for her second goal of the afternoon and Lydd’s third.

Williams was soon through on goal again, only to be denied by another fine save. Lloyd followed up, but her effort drifted agonisingly wide.

Lydd added a fourth on the stroke of half-time. Awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal, Long saw her effort saved by the goalkeeper, but Chambers reacted quickest to bundle home the rebound and give Lydd a commanding 4–0 lead at the break.

The second half began much like the first, with Lydd firmly in control. Any attempts by Sellindge to get back into the game were quickly snuffed out by resolute defending from Stevenson, Long and Laing.

On 64 minutes, Reynolds played a ball through to Tanner, whose pass found Conceicao on the edge of the box. Conceicao made no mistake, firing home off the post to complete her hat-trick and put Lydd 5–0 ahead.

Eleven minutes later, Conceicao was at it again. Taking the ball past the goalkeeper, she calmly finished to claim her fourth goal of the afternoon and Lydd’s sixth.

Lydd were not finished yet. Just before the final whistle, Williams unleashed another effort that was well saved by the Sellindge goalkeeper. Unfortunately for the visitors, Burren was alert to the rebound and followed up to score her first goal of the game, completing an impressive afternoon for Lydd.

Full-time: Lydd Ladies 7–0 Sellindge

Thoughts from Andy

“This was the reaction to last week that we wanted to see. We were on it from the first whistle.

“Our pressing was so much better, as was our composure on the ball. There were some great finishes today, along with some excellent passages of play that led to the goals.

“Plus, a clean sheet, which is just as important. I’m very happy with the performance.”

The only downside to an otherwise excellent afternoon was a knee injury to Briony Hughes. Everyone at the club hopes the injury is not as serious as first feared and wishes Briony a speedy recovery.

Overall, it was a superb response from Lydd Ladies, combining attacking quality, hard work and defensive solidity to produce a cracking performance.

#upthelydders
Lydd Town FC Ladies are kindly sponsored by Oscar Acoustics