Foster Injury Overshadows Cup Progress

Herne Bay Ladies (2) 6
Holness 7, Tulett 17, Kay 70, 76, Chapman 71, 80

Thanet Colts (0) 0

Kent FA Women’s Plate Quarter Final
Sunday 19th January 2014

by Anthony Deer

(photo: Harriet Chapman wheels away after slotting past the 'keeper - Steve Barton)

Finally after four weeks of having no football due to wet pitches and fallen trees, our home game had to be reversed to Margate to play Thanet Colts in the quarter finals if the Women’s Kent Plate, one of the trophies that we won last season and keen to retain. Thanet Colts are currently top of the division below and were one of two teams to beat us in the league. Going into this game knowing what they did to us last season was all the motivation Herne Bay Ladies needed for this game, that and the fact we haven’t played football in four weeks!
With a full squad to select from we were at our strongest from the starting eleven to the players on the bench. We stamped our authority from the first whistle by playing some nice two touch football at it wasn’t too long before we got our first goal. On 7 minutes Vicky Holness pounced on a loose ball from a goal kick and forced the ball over the line past the stranded goalkeeper. From here we dominated the first period of the first half and doubled our lead on 17 minutes with the persistence of Holness, Farrow and Tulett. An overhead kick from Carly Farrow fell kindly to Isabelle Tullet who poked the ball home. From here, Thanet Colts started to attack although most advances were seen off by the competent back four of Emma Brown, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent and Debbie Blackmore, with Breeze Handley returning to duties in goal, we looked solid and dealt with anything that came their way. Thanet Colts pushed on and caused problems as our normal passing game began to struggle and passes were going a little wayward however we still managed to create chances to put the game to bed early. Rustiness and a bobbly pitch may have something to do with that factor. However the last five minutes of the half saw Herne Bay Ladies back to the fluent passing we know they are capable of.

The second half started slowly with both teams trying to play football, with both defences dealing with attacking play. The decisive goal came on 70 minutes when Vicky Holness was bought down in the penalty box. Lesley Kay stepped up and converted with ease. A minute later the tie was truly wrapped up when Harriet Chapman raced through and calmly slotted the ball round the goalkeeper. The scoring didn’t stop there, five minutes later Kay played a lovely one two with Holness who then found herself with plenty of time to strike the ball past the goalkeeper. The scoring was completed on 80 minutes when once again Harriet Chapman raced through and scored in the bottom corner. With the game won, it was just down to seeing the game out without any problems. However with the ladies not wanting to concede and start 2014 with a clean sheet, Kate Foster, like most weeks, put her body on the line and in an unfortunate accident found herself lying on the floor after being kicked in the head. With an ambulance having to be called as Foster could not move her neck the game was abandoned in the 88th minute. Thanet Colts were happy to concede the game and the result went our way. Kate is now out of hospital with mild concussion and a sore neck and will be back in no time. We now face either West Kent or Teynham Gunners in the semi-final whose game was postponed today.

A good solid start to 2014 and the means to go on. The league is out of our hands with teams needing to drop points for us to win it, but we are now in two semi-finals and a quarter final of cup competitions. We are stronger this year and the desire by all the players is there to be seen by all. Next up is Gillingham on Tuesday if the game doesn’t get postponed but our next league game is away to Faversham Elizabethans next Sunday.

I would like to say thank you to Thanet Colts for use of their pitch and their help and support when Kate Foster went down injured.

Herne Bay Ladies Squad: Breeze Handley, Emma Brown, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Lesley Kay, Kate Foster, Sarah Holmes, Carly Farrow, Vicky Holness, Isabelle Tullet, Harriet Chapman, Lauren Wiltshire, Bella Smith, Emily Hayward, Elizabeth Lehan.

Player of match: Kate Foster