Ladies Go Third

Herne Bay Ladies (1) 2
Tulett 17, Foster 55

Faversham Elizabethians (0) 0

South East Counties Women’s League Division One (East)
Sunday 17th November 2013
Bell Meadow

by Anthony Deer

An opportunity arose today as winning this match would see us go into third place in the league. It was always going to be a tough game, even though Faversham lost heavily last week to Charlton Development team. Without our top goal scorer Vicky Holness (Suspended) and Harriet Chapman out due to injury (Quad) we had a new partnership up top in Isabelle Tulett and Carly Farrow. With the return of Lesley Kay from injury we set our sights out to get the three points!

The game started slowly and some of our passing wasn’t the best but once we found our rhythm we looked to be at our best again. Faversham didn’t really threaten us throughout the game with Breeze Handley sweeping up brilliantly in goal. Apart from one moment of good football by a Faversham player the back four once again prevented any real threat in front of goal. A frustrating first half with some close calls with a few offside decisions not going our way, it took some great neat one two football around the oppositions penalty box where Isabelle Tulett finished the move off with a fine strike in the 17th minute. The game got a little scrappy with misplaced passes but it was Herne Bay Ladies who controlled the game with some great work rate in the middle once again from Charlie Hayes breaking up the play and pressuring Faversham into rushing their passes and forcing mistakes.

The half time whistle went and the ladies were given their instructions to finish the game off ensuring that three points were obtained. Don’t concede and we will win the game, chances will come to score more and those chances came.

Passing improved in the second half and we found ourselves in the final third more often than not, but for some last ditch defending saw our advances go astray. 55 minutes we got the second goal that would make it difficult for Faversham to come back from. Kate Foster picked up the ball and took it round the Faversham right back, rode a couple of challenges and then planted the ball into the net with a rasping strike. With still 35 minutes to play, we needed to make sure that we kept possession and frustrate Faversham and ensure that we didn’t concede. Faversham could only put the ball over the top and hope that there forwards were quicker and got to the ball first. But solid defending and tackling from Emma Brown, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent and Debbie Blackmore and a good reading of the game from Breeze Handley in goal made sure that Faversham were left frustrated.

A good team performance again, work rate from everyone ensuring three points and another clean sheet was fantastic to see, this team is growing in confidence. With competition for places everyone has raised their game giving me a headache for future selection. A headache that most managers welcome! On to next week where we travel to Gillingham to play Anchorians 2nd in the league followed by Maidstone United at Winch’s Field in the Ryman’s Cup.

Team: Breeze Handley, Emma Brown, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Sarah Holmes, Charlie Hayes, Kate Foster, Lesley Kay, Isabelle Tulett, Carly Farrow, Lauren Wiltshire, Bella Smith, Elizabeth Lehan

Player of the Match: Carly Farrow