Late Killer Blow For Ladies

Late Killer Blow For Ladies

Herne Bay Ladies (0) 0

Prince of Wales (1) 2

South East Counties Women’s League Division One (East)
Sunday 20th October 2013
Bell Meadow

by Anthony Deer

Football at times can be a cruel game and this was just one of those days. Prince of Wales adopted a very physical approach and this appears to be as much a local derby as the Herne Bay v Whitstable fixture in the Ryman League. Neither team wanted to lose this game, tackles were flying in, some very questionable that maybe if punished with a card the game might have been calmed at an early stage.

However, Herne Bay Ladies knew what their manager wanted from them and provided one of the best performances so far this season even though they finished on the wrong side of the score line. This game was about taking chances and for whatever reason Bay just couldn’t find the final touch that would have put this game to bed. Prince of Wales, however, found their scoring touch. They took the lead from the only chance presented to them in the first half, after 25 minutes, a through ball pushed past the oncoming Breeze Handley. The goal did not stop the determination of Herne Bay who pushed on creating chance after chance. The best of which fell to Vicky Holness who went one on one with the Prince of Wales goalkeeper only to come off second best to an in-form ‘keeper, who was to thwart many a chance.

“Half time came and the message to the ladies was to continue the great football they were playing and one of the chances will go in,” said Deer, “the belief that they could go on and win this was there. It’s a mentality that has seen us go on and win games in previous matches.”

Once again, Herne Bay Ladies dominated the second half causing problems for the Prince of Wales defence who at times were desperate in their defending and gave Bay more opportunities to push forward and find the elusive equaliser. A solid defensive display at the back from Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore and Charlie Hayes, led by Rachel Tracy, dealt more than adequately with everything that was thrown at them; Breeze Handley only being called upon to make one vital save in the second half.

With 5 minutes remaining, Bay pushed players on, risking leaving themselves open to the counter attack. That is exactly what happened. With time running out and players pushed on, Prince of Wales struck a deflating blow. In the 88th minute former Herne Bay Ladies player, Kyra Mills chipped Handley to score the second goal that killed the game.

“Some say we are finding the step up hard and difficult,” said Deer, “losing 6 players from last season has had its toll, however, the current group of players are still learning new positions, how we play and we will get there. This year is about making sure we stay focused on each game. We will get stronger. I’ve set down the ethos of where I’d like the team to be in the future. The ladies understand that and have accepted that we are not going to win every game. I believe in this squad of players and as soon as they start believing more in themselves then we will have a winning team again.”

Herne Bay Ladies: Breeze Handley, Charlie Hayes, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Sarah Holmes, Emma Brown, Lauren Wiltshire, Harriet Chapman, Vicky Holness, Carly Farrow, Elizabeth Lehan, Emily Johnson, Bella Smith

Player of the Match: Vicky Holness