Haylock Hat-Trick Seals Dramatic Final Home Victory
Atlético London signed off their final home game of the season in style, securing an emphatic 3–2 victory in a match that had everything - early drama, resilience, and a decisive late moment.
Credit: Khiago Visuals
The hosts could hardly have started brighter. Just 90 seconds in, Brooke Haylock came within inches of opening the scoring, her strike rattling the crossbar before Rea Laudat’s follow-up header was heroically cleared off the line. It set the tone for a dominant opening spell, with Atlético controlling possession and territory.
Despite that early momentum, it was the visitors who struck first. A corner delivered into the back post caused problems, and Emma Slater reacted quickest to a loose ball to give Royston the lead shortly before the break.
If there’s been one defining trait of our First Team this season, it’s their response, and once again, they came out for the second half with intent. Just five minutes after the restart, Amber Provan drove down the flank to deliver a pinpoint cross into the box, where Haylock rose to meet it, powering home the equaliser. This strong effort continued, and the team completed the turnaround just 15 minutes later after Haylock was brought down 30 yards from the goal. As focused as always, she stepped up to take the resulting free kick herself, the effort slipping through the goalkeeper’s grasp to give Atlético the lead.
In true football fashion, the game was far from over. Just two minutes later, Royston responded through Chloe Gunn, who struck a powerful free kick from distance after a series of late challenges went unpunished, levelling the score once again. The final 20 minutes were played at a relentless pace, with chances at both ends. Atlético were forced into a change in goal, as Sindi Kanto made her debut following an injury to Alex Baker, stepping in confidently during a tense period of the match.
As the clock ticked down, it seemed the points might be shared until a moment of individual brilliance settled it. In the closing stages, Juliet Thomas played a perfectly weighted ball forward into Haylock’s path. Driving down the line, she beat three defenders before firing into the near corner to complete a superb hat-trick and seal all three points.
It was a fitting moment for Haylock, who has enjoyed an outstanding first full season in senior football. With an impressive tally of 33 goals, she sits just behind Stenevage’s Sarah Wiltshire in the Golden Boot race. A standout talent, Haylock is certainly one to watch in the years ahead.
The victory continues an outstanding run of form, with Atlético taking 22 points from a possible 24 in 2026. Momentum is firmly on their side as the season draws to a close. One final challenge remains: Atlético travel to Wroxham on Sunday for the last game of the campaign.
