Sheppey Ladies 1 Herne Bay Ladies 13

Report by Anthony Deer

Back to league action today away to Sheppey United and the main focus was to get back to winning ways to keep put the pressure back on Long Lane. The pitch was very uneven and first and second touches in the first ten minutes were wayward but once we got our foot on the ball and relaxed we dominated proceedings throughout the game. It took 15 minutes for Herne Bay to score the first goal, Vicky Holness scored her first of many during the game and quickly scored another one within a couple of minutes of the restart. From here Sheppey had their first and really only time with the ball in the first half but the back line dealt once again with everything that was thrown at them. For the rest of the game we played some of our best football so far this season with some great link up play from back to front, switching the play and putting many through balls to the forward players. Just before the break, two more goals were quickly scored in succession from strikes by Lesley Kay and Emma Brown.

The half time team talk was about continuing to play the football we were playing in the first half and opportunities for more goals for everyone will increase our goal difference. The ladies didn’t disappoint. The football once again was sublime at times and all the goals scored were extremely well worked team goals with excellent finishes from all those who scored them. Lesley Kay completed her hat trick, Lauren Wiltshire, Shona Clark both got one each but Vicky Holness managed to score 5 more goals second half to get to a staggering 40 goals for the season! Although it all didn’t go our way, Sheppey had their first real chance of the game which Emily Johnson pulled off a great low diving save to her left hand side; however, she could do nothing with the goal that we conceded!

Player of the match Enya Lynch was outstanding today and was unlucky on several occasions not to get on the score sheet, including a penalty and throughout the game she defended well and towards the end pushed on more to help the midfield and create more chances. That said this was an all round team performance and no complaints from the management. The ladies are now all looking forward to the much publicised game against Gillingham, but with the weather looking grim, this game could be moved to another date. Next week the ladies are at home to London Corinthians at Bell Meadow 2:00pm KO another team we haven’t played yet and are currently 3rd in the table!

Team: Emily Johnson, Chantelle Bleau, Rachel Tracy, Enya Lynch, Charlie Hayes, Shona Clark, Emma Brown, Lesley Kay, Lauren Wiltshire, Vicky Holness, Kiya Mills, Jo Franks, Natalie Lewis

Player of Match: Enya Lynch