The Blues, who play in the PGA Under-21 Women's League and cup competition, had 74 per cent of possession but found it difficult to create clear chances in the first half against Maidenhead's 5-4-1 low block. Sadie Gregory hit the post during that spell.

Chelsea had 13 shots after the interval, six of them on target. Maidenhead goalkeeper Cherry Priesner made important saves to deny Chelsea N'Drin and Nelly Las before substitute Sinclair struck late on.

First team players Lola Brown, Las, and Chloe Sarwie featured for Leanne Champ's side for the first time this season.

Held at the break

Chelsea had most of the ball from the start but were limited to efforts from distance and half-chances as Maidenhead defended deep. The closest we came in the first half was on 20 minutes. The ball was worked out from the right-hand side of the box to Gregory, and the centre-back stepped in and struck a curling left-footed shot that hit the left post.

Ten minutes later, Las picked out her fellow wing-back Sarwie at the back post, but Sarwie narrowly missed the target with a flying volley. The Blues had five shots in the first half, none of which were on target, and the game was goalless at half-time.

Sinclair settles it late on

Champ made three changes at the break, bringing on Rebekah Pierce, Tess Finn and Sinclair for Gregory, Keira Johnson and Jahmya Putman. Chelsea were more threatening after the restart. On 64 minutes, Elise Christian replaced Annie Boichat. A minute later, N'Drin looked set to score after a failed clearance, but Priesner grasped the ball before it crossed the line.

The Maidenhead goalkeeper denied Chelsea again on 76 minutes. Captain Belle Sullivan (pictured top) won the ball back high up the pitch, and Finn laid it off to Las on the edge of the box. Las struck across goal, but Priesner stopped the shot before it could go in.

The breakthrough came in the 90th minute. Sinclair won the first contact from a Maidenhead goal kick, and after a battle for the loose ball in midfield, it broke to Brown with space to drive forward.

Brown played the ball out to Pierce, who took on her defender one-on-one before playing a reverse pass to Las on the top left corner of the box. Las drove into the area and picked out Sinclair on the penalty spot, and she curled a left-footed shot into the top corner. It was Sinclair's third goal in the WNL Cup this season and her eighth in all competitions.

What it means

A draw would have been enough for Chelsea to top the group, but the win means we ,finish on nine points, ahead of Tier 3 side Swindon Town on six, Tier 4 side Maidenhead on three and Wycombe Wanderers on zero.

Chelsea move into the WNL Cup knockout stages, which is where our run ended last season. We were the only academy side to progress from the groups last term, and this season the Blues will be looking for a competitive draw and the chance to go further than any academy side has before.

What's next?

After a ten-day break, Chelsea begin our PGA Cup campaign at home against West Ham United Women Under-21s in the preliminary qualification round on Wednesday 7 October.

The Blues then start the PGA National Division One season on Wednesday 18 November. We qualified after topping the Southern phase and finishing with the best record across the North and South divisions.

Team

Chelsea (3-4-3): Victoria Rudz; Annie Boichat (Elise Christian 64), Gabi Storey, Sadie Gregory (Rebekah Pierce 45); Nelly Las, Belle Sullivan (c), Keira Johnson (Tess Finn 45), Chloe Sarwie; Chelsea N'Drin, Jahmya Putman (Stevie Sinclair 45), Lola Brown
Unused subs: Freya Weeks, Amelia Fahey, Emelia Addison
Scorers: Sinclair 90
Manager: Leanne Champ