Forest Green Ladies 3 AEK Boco 1

FOREST Green Rovers Ladies are South West Women’s Football League Eastern Division champions after victory over their nearest rivals sealed the league title on Sunday afternoon, writes Richard Joyce.

A 3-1 win over AEK Boco helped the Ladies move far enough ahead to secure the championship, as a near completely new side bounced back from the disappointment of a three division drop at the beginning of the season, to win promotion.

Goals from Sophie Okey, Sian Towler and Charlie Rowlands clinched three points at Slimbridge’s Thornhill Park against their nearest challengers, who had drawn level after going a goal down.

Okey, one of a small few remaining from last season’s squad, put Rovers ahead in the first- half from a corner. She headed in Rhian Robbins’ set piece to break the deadlock.

The visitors pursuit of an equaliser continued when a free-kick went just over, and they did eventually draw level on the stroke of half-time.

After Rosie Dimery had struck the post for FGRLFC from a narrow angle, another direct run from Randall ended with the AEK Boco forward this time beating Clark to level the scores.

Almost immediately though Forest Green were back in front when Towers received the ball in space from a clearance and slammed in from distance.

Knowing victory was required to claim the title, a tense second half ensued after the interval, although Holly Thomas did come close to extending the lead when her left-footed shot was saved early on.

Winger Holly Hughes then got in and forced a save down the left, while Thomas came close again only to see her header from a Laura McGlone corner drop over the bar.

The safety goal that FGRLFC craved finally came when Rowlands notched inside the box.

An effort from Towler was blocked, and the subsequent deflection fell to Rowlands who swooped to smash in.