Tor’s Two Topple Rusthall

Herne Bay Ladies (2) 3
Holness 10,11 Chapman 90

Rusthall Ladies (0) 1

KCFA Plate 2nd Round
Sunday 15th December 2013.

by Anthony Deer

Today we entertained Rusthall in the Kent Women’s Plate 2nd Round, the fixture was meant to be played at Winch’s Field but after careful consideration we decided to change it to Bell Meadow. With a few players once again unavailable through work, injury and family commitments we were down to the bare 12 players. With most playing 90 minutes on the previous Thursday against Maidstone and the good run of form Rusthall were having, today was always going to be tough. This was our last game of 2013 and we want to retain the Kent Women’s Plate so the girls knew that they had to put everything into this game knowing that a three week rest was waiting for them at the end.

The game started brightly with Rusthall playing a high line, the final ball seemed to catch us out as we were finding ourselves offside a lot. But it was only a matter of time before we opened the scoring. The ball fell kindly to Vicky Holness about 25 yards out and for some reason no one from the Rusthall team pressured Vicky who unleashed a strike that sailed past the goalkeeper. Straight from the kick off we regained the ball and again Vicky found herself on the edge of the area with no pressure and again hit a sweet shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 within a minute. From here, we seemed to switch off and Rusthall started to force us back and rush our game. They hit the crossbar and forced stand in goalkeeper Carly Farrow into a spectacular save. Half time whistle blew and it was time to refocus the girls to ensure we didn’t concede.

Straight from the whistle we found ourselves under constant pressure, Rusthall had the bit between their teeth to find the next goal and make a game of it. I think the game from Thursday started to take its toll on some of the players as at times we looked tired. But the girls battled on, although at times not very pretty. Rusthall had a chance, the ball was floated into the box but once again Carly Farrow plucked the ball out of the air and set up an attack. However it was Rusthall who were the team to score next and make a game out of it. They were awarded a free kick on the 75th minute just outside the box for which the Rusthall striker hit the top corner of the goal just out if reach from Carly. From here Rusthall piled on the pressure and pushed to find the equaliser. It was nervy last 5 minutes as tiredness began to show but in the 91st minute, we retained possession of the ball and headed into the corner to close down the game. Sarah Holmes held it in there for a good minute, the ball broke free for Harriet Chapman who took the ball round a defender and prodded the ball past the keeper at her near post. A sigh of relief was made knowing that there was no way back now for Rusthall. The final whistle blew and we found ourselves into the quarter finals of the plate where our opponents are Thanet Colts at home in January.
We weren’t at our very best today, but illness and tiredness was a big factor plus the unavailability of a few players. In the space of a week we have shown that we can win by playing great football, win with perseverance and win ugly. We welcome a three week break now for recovery and to refocus on the second half of the season. With some big games coming up anything is possible. The girls are working hard together to get things right when things aren’t working like we want to but we are showing resilience and ability to get through the tough games.

Herne Bay Ladies Squad: Carly Farrow, Emma Brown, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Lauren Wiltshire, Kate Foster, Sarah Holmes, Isabelle Tulett, Harriet Chapman, Vicky Holness, Elizabeth Lehan

Player of Match: Carly Farrow