Finally, after a lengthy time off for the festive period the ladies first match of 2013 was a Divisional Cup quarter final against Anchorians 2nds away. A very bitterly cold day at the Anchorians ground with a slight breeze making it a lot colder at times. With most players available we knew this could be a tough match as Anchorians have improved over the last month or so after looking at their recent results. Anchorians began the brighter in the first part of the first half, with Herne Bay ladies looking a little rusty from not playing for a long period of time but when we got the ball down it was business as usual, the first goal coming from top goal scorer Vicky Holness, however, the lead did not last too long when an Anchorian free kick went over our goalkeeper Emily Johnson to make it 1 all. For some reason and for the first time, Herne Bay Ladies did not look comfortable and panicked with the ball. Anchorians had a couple of good chances to lead the game but for some good goalkeeping from Emily and some outstanding defending from the ever improving Charlie Hayes. Just before half time Herne Bay ladies had a corner, which Lauren Wiltshire drilled into the front post for Lesley Kay bundled over for her first goal of the game.

The second half saw the Herne Bay ladies dominate proceedings with the football we all know that they can play, the ball was passed around with precision and pace, leaving Anchorians to admire some of the football we were playing. One, two touch football, sucking in players before releasing others to attack the spaces created was causing all sorts of problems for Anchorians. Goals didn’t take too long to come when Lesley Kay finished superbly from a little set back from Vicky Holness, the football continued and it wasn’t long before the next goal came when Lauren Wiltshire hit a 25 yard screamer into the bottom right hand corner, from here confidence began to grow and the will not to concede was encouraged by some solid defending from Chantelle Bleau, Rachel Tracy, Enya Lynch and Charlie Hayes. Lesley Kay completed her hat trick with about 15 minutes to go the ball bounced over the defenders, with the goal keeper rushing out, Lesley calmly lobbed the ball over her and after a couple of bounces easily placed the ball in the goal. Before we finished scoring Anchorians had two great chances at the end to make the score line more respectable, however a fine tip round the post from Emily Johnson and then from the resulting corner a shot saved on the line stopped this from happening. Just before the final whistle Natalie Lewis scored the sixth goal after Vicky Holness put her through with a well timed pass.

A slow start to the game but a great second half to progress into the semi final with Gravesham the opponents at home!

The ladies are certainly working hard to produce some good results under pressure at times, their confidence is growing and their will to win games by playing football on the floor is showing all the time! The next couple of games are very testing and challenging games indeed, Sunday 20th January see Herne Bay Ladies play against Aylesford 1sts in the Kent Plate quarter finals, a competition to see how well we would cope if we moved up into the next division, then Tuesday 22nd January sees Gillingham Ladies visit Winch’s Field in the Ryman’s Cup Quarter Final. A very tough game, but very much looking forward to it!

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

Player of Match: Vicky Holness

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