Stacey Sowden

Stacey Sowden scored twice as Barnet FC Ladies defeated Bristol City 3-1 at Hanwell Town FC on Sunday.The victory ensures that the Bees end 2006 in third place in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division table, a creditable performance in the club's first season back at the higher level.

Sowden's goals took her tally for the season to eleven in ten matches since her return to the club in October.It also puts her name in the record books as the first Barnet FC Ladies player to reach 100 goals.

Bees Manager Tracey Kevins was forced into making three changes to her team for the match against fourth placed Bristol City.Annie Barratt and Heski Johnson were unavailable and Katie O'Donoghue was not fit enough to claim her useful place in the starting line-up.Katie Wicka returned to the centre of defence with Ann Harvey and Vicky McDevitt lining up in midfield.It was the latter player's first start since joining the club in November.

As expected the match was highly competitive in the first period, but neither side was able to break the deadlock.Sarah Wooliscroft and Claire Thomas work extremely hard in the centre of midfield, whilst Stacey Sowden's pace and Beth Curtis's trickery kept the Bristol City back four fully occupied.

At the back, Barnet looked solid with Charlotte Herson and Katie Wicka resuming their successful partnership of last season. Vicky Elcome, in an unaccustomed full back role, and Clare Stevens, ably supported them on the flanks.

Early in the second half Jess Devoti proved to be back to her best when she tipped over a shot, which threatened to creep in under the Barnet crossbar.At the other end, Barnet's best chance full to Vicky McDevitt who fired into the side netting.

However, the home side's persistence paid off after 75 minutes.Sarah Wooliscroft set Stacey Sowden free and the prolific striker raced free of her marker.Sowden could not get a clean strike on the ball, but her scuffed shot evaded the Bristol City keeper and rolled into the net.

Ten minutes later Sowden looked to have wrapped up the points for Barnet with her second of the match and her 100^th goal for the club.This was a trademark Sowden goal as she once again raced clear of the visitors' defence and struck home sweetly from 12 yards.

Kirstie Richardson pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 88^th minute, to ensure an anxious finale for the Barnet team and its supporters.However, substitute Maddie Hills struck a decisive blow deep into injury time to make it 3-1 and ensure three points for her side.Excellent build up play involving Ann Harvey and Claire Stevens set up Sowden.For once her shot was blocked, but the rebound fell to Hills who duly fired in her fourth goal of the season.

The victory completed a memorable year for the Bees.During the previous twelve months they had won the South East Combination League Championship and League Cup and retained the Middlesex County FA Women's Senior Cup.In addition they enjoyed an exciting run to Fifth Round of the FA Women's Cup.More importantly Barnet FC Ladies have re-established themselves at the forefront of the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division.

Barnet Team: Jess Devoti, Vicky Elcome, Clare Stevens, Claire Thomas, Katie Wicka, Charlotte Herson, Vicky McDevitt, Sarah Wooliscroft, Stacey Sowden, Beth Curtis, Ann Harvey.

Substitutes: Madeleine Hills (for Curtis 82 mins), Katie O'Donoghue (not used).

Goalscorers: Sowden (75, 85 mins), Hills (90 mins).