Ladies learn final opponents

West Ham United Ladies will play Colchester United in the final of the Essex County Cup

West Ham United Ladies booked their place in what will be their first-ever senior cup final with a 9-0 semi-final win over Braintree Town. The final will take place at Maldon Town FC on 15 March.

After suffering at the hands of the adverse weather in recent weeks, Manager Tony Marshall was pleased with the way his team responded. "We're very pleased," he said. "It was a completely professional performance, despite the fact that we had to play on Astroturf. We kept the ball and had 90 per cent possession."

Marshall used the game to give some of the fringe squad players a run out and they responded by helping the Hammers to their second big win in this year's competition after beating Billericay Town 15-0 in November. "I gave a few people games who haven't played as much and they responded well. We had quite a big crowd at the game and the people were very nice and clapped us off at the end."

Jess Barlting (two), Gemma Shepherd, Julia Seftford, Tracey Duxbury, Leah Cowan, Lindsey Morgan. Toni-Anne Wayne and Nat Grafton got the goals to secure the Hammers' place against Colchester, who beat West Bergholt. 4-1 in the other semi-final.