A penalty corner converted by the Starlings two minutes before the final whistle gave them victory over the Gulls in a strongly fought match between Brighton and Hove's unbeaten teams in the Sussex Girls Development League on Saturday.

The league leading Starlings took their winning record to 10 out of 10 this season with the narrow 2-1 success while the Gulls, in second place, suffered their first reverse and are now seven points behind their clubmates.

Gulls manager Sue Everton reports: "I am not going to single out individual performances as all 15 Gulls played their hearts out. They were strong, fast and brave and their commitment to this team and support for each other is so evident.

"On a damp, dark and drizzly afternoon, the Gulls came out strongly perhaps catching their opposition unawares and for the first 15 minutes we dominated the play. The Starlings picked up a gear, but excellent marking and interceptions thwarted their usual smooth style of play. With a goal apiece disallowed, the half time score remained 0-0.

"Throughout the second half, the Gulls brilliantly defended countless attacks along with several penalty corners. With another disallowed goal from a short corner, the Starlings finally went ahead with a strike from a well-executed penalty. Ten minutes later, with a fast counter attack, the Gulls equalised, much to the delight of their supporters. And so it remained until the late goal and the final whistle.

"We tried to remain gracious in defeat but tears at the end said it all and the after match ‘celebrations’ were a little subdued for players and spectators alike. We congratulate the Starlings and look forward to the return fixture! We also wish Nina a speedy recovery from a nasty hand injury."

Amy Macmillan reports on behalf of the Starling:

Starlings 2 Gulls 1

"The both unbeaten this season Starlings and Gulls met at Blatch this week. With both teams doing fantastically well in the Sussex Development (U16) league, a tight affair was expected and the fixture did not disappoint. From the off it was clear the teams were evenly matched, but it was the Gulls who started somewhat sprightlier and had a number of excellent attacks in the first 10 minutes. The Starlings didn't look settled and they were certainly conscious that this was our toughest opposition yet this season. The Gulls took charge in midfield, were winning most of the 50/50 balls and created a number of chances, but Starlings GK Jess made a string of strong saves and our defence held firm while we settled in.

As the half went on the play shifted more towards the Starlings attack, but the Gulls defence was solid and we struggled to create clear chances. Meanwhile the Gulls continued to put together some excellent team hockey and create their own chances. In defence the Gulls swiftly thwarted any quick Starlings breaks with some fantastic, calm tackles, from which they then distributed well. There were goal mouth scrambles at both ends, but it remained scoreless. The Gulls did find the back of the net with a PC, but it was ruled out for height. Then, after a quick counter attack down the right, Starlings forward Amelia took a great strike as she was fouled in the D, only for it to be ruled out as the umpire blew for a PC just before the ball crossed the line. Nothing resulted from the subsequent corner and it remained goalless at half time.

After half time, the tempo of the game continued, with both teams working hard on and off the ball. The Starlings picked up their game somewhat on 50/50 balls and were distributing well when in possession. They created a number of chances, but the Gulls defence held firm and GK Emily B made some excellent saves. As the Gulls had in the first half, we got the ball in the back of the net, but in the top corner off a first hit from a PC, so no goal. The Starlings began to take more control in midfield, were playing well down each wing, but consistently good defending from the Gulls - with some particularly excellent tackles by Leah - kept us at bay. There were more goal mouth scrambles at each end, but neither team could score. Until eventually the stalemate was broken with a little over 10 minutes to go, when India calmly tucked a PC away for the Starlings from a strike at the top. A well deserved reward for her tireless running off the ball & creativity in attack.

The Gulls remained calm and dug deep, creating yet more chances, but the Starlings defence was solid, with Tilly and Jess H making a number of vital interceptions and tackles. The mids too, Dina, Evie, Olivia, Maelona and Emily C at different points, all worked very hard throughout to quash the Gulls attacks. Then with 4 minutes to go the Gulls got their reward for all their hard work, when a loose ball was picked up by their forwards, a great cross was sent towards towards goal and despite an excellent initial first save from Jess K and defence sticks flying in, the ball was scrambled over the line to well deserved cheers and applause.

Starling coach Amy Mac called for calm from the sideline and sent a few key instructions onto the pitch and the girls responded fantastically. They stayed calm and composed; everyone worked hard, there was some great interplay between mids and forwards and some fantastic decisions making, all leading to a succession of PCs. On the third, Emily C hit a hard flat ball, which Ameila beautifully deflected into the air and past the excellent Gulls GK. With barely a minute to go, the Gulls didn't have time to respond. 2-1 Starlings it finished. Some understandably disappointed Gulls and happy Starlings at the end, but there is no doubt that BHHC was the winner today. We already have a number of U16 girls playing in adult teams and here we have two very strong U16 girls teams and many, many individuals with a bright future in the game ahead".

The Flippers lost by the odd goal in five away to East Grinstead Badgers in the Sussex Boys Development League.