Maidstone’s fast start proved decisive as they won the Kent Merit Under-13 Girls Cup final at the Gallagher Stadium against Anchorians on Sunday.

The Stones certainly made home advantage count as they dominated the early stages, racing into a four-goal lead inside 23 minutes.

“It was absolutely brilliant,” said Maidstone manager David Atkinson. “We talked before the game about exploiting the wide areas, and trying to get the ball into their box early on.

“The girls worked really hard, they kept trying to get the ball wide and then finish it off with a goal which we did three or four times.”

While four-goal Ivie Pritchard took the player-of-the-match award, winger Kelsi Wilkinson caught the eye with her clever footwork and wing play, not to mention her excellent quality of crossing.

Maidstone led on 10 minutes when a shot from distance by Dempsey Hayes was deflected in, possibly by Pritchard or for an own goal.

The lead was doubled two minutes later, Wilkinson’s right-wing cross was recycled down the left and Pritchard produced an unstoppable right-foot finish after creating space in the box.

Maidstone keeper Grace Garner saved bravely at the feet of two Anchorians players after Isla John’s long throw into the area.

The third goal was arguably the best of the game. There appeared little danger when Ella Servais collected the ball but she strode forward and found the bottom corner from long range.

Wilkinson and Pritchard combined for the fourth goal, the former working her way down the wing and her delivery was turned in at close range.

A fifth goal arrived on the half-hour when Wilkinson’s dangerous corner was converted at the far post by Grace Gilby.

Maidstone added a sixth within a minute of the second half when Ruby Sykes’ cross was too hot to handle and Pritchard scored from close range.

Six goals down with nearly half the game to go, most teams would have buckled. But Anchorians were clearly made of stern stuff and they were the better side in the time that remained.

Defender Maise Trotter-Davis made countless interceptions and distributed well from the back, Mia Thurbin’s footwork caught the eye while Keira Divers was prominent in most moves.

Even the most ardent of Maidstone supporters couldn’t have begrudged Anchorians a goal or two for their efforts. But, despite knocking at the door, it never came.

Chloe Morrisey twice shot wide from long range, Nalan Goktopal nearly turned in Thurbin’s corner and another corner by Thurbin was then brilliantly headed off the line by the Stones.

Anchorians kept trying and their day’s luck in front of goal was summed up three minutes from the end when another long throw-in by John saw both Thurbin and Goktopal unable to force the ball home.

“The girls loved it, we all did,” said Atkinson. “Anchorians really came back at us in the second half and we held out really well.”

Maidstone: Grace Garner, Amber Ruthven, Ebony Chapman, Summer Ensinger, Ella Servais, Ruby Sykes, Kelsi Wilkinson, Dempsey Hayes, Ivie Pritchard, Grace Gilby.

Anchorians: Sophie Svirska, Maise Trotter-Davis, Isla John, Keira Divers, Mia Thurbin, Chloe Morrisey, Georgie Cook, Nalan Goktopal, Chloe Cremona, Katie Johnson, Emily Rowatt, Lily Wood.

Referee: Stephanie Damerum.