Boro Ladies are going up

Stevenage Boro Ladies have secured promotion to the Eastern Region Women's Premier League.

They went one better this year after agonisingly falling at the last hurdle during the play-offs last season.

But the ladies insisted on giving their supporters another heart-stopping ride, however, waiting until the 85th minute of their final game to score the goal that took them up.

Last Wednesday night's fantastic away win at Sawbridgeworth saw Boro edge ahead of both Billericay and Brentwood in the race for the second automatic promotion spot, with Chelmsford already promoted as champions.

The result meant that Boro's fate was in their own hands - victory in their last game against Kings Sports on Sunday would send them up, and anything less would mean another season in Division One.

Boro deservedly took the lead after 20 minutes through Jay Madden. Five minutes later, Kings Sports were awarded a deserved penalty and equalised.

They regained the lead when Lindsey Light headed home from a corner, but the ladies' frayed nerves handed Kings Sports a second equaliser before half-time through a defensive mix-up.

The second half was largely one-way traffic, with Boro desperately seeking the most important goal of their season against well-organised and talented opposition.

With time running out, centre-back Hayley Keene was sent up front and within moments her pass put Cara Breckenridge through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

She slotted home and Boro survived the last few minutes.

Their young and ambitious side look forward to daunting visits to places like Dagenham and Redbridge, and Cambridge United next season.

* Hitchin Hearts were runners-up behind Leighton Linslade Ladies in their division and the champions are now eligible for promotion to the Eastern Region Division One (South).