Third Cup Semi Final For Ladies after Extra Time Triumph

Herne Bay Ladies (0) 4
Chapman 90, 98, 110, Foster 111

Ashford Girls (1) 1

(after extra time, 1-1 at 90 mins)
South East Counties Women’s Football League – League Cup Quarter Final
Sunday 2nd February 2014
At Bell Meadow

by Anthony Deer

With the weather once again playing havoc last week, we were all grateful that it was a glorious day and the league cup quarter final could be played. We were at home and there was some concern regarding possibly more fallen trees after the wind the previous night. But everything was fine and the match went ahead as planned. We have met Ashford on our opening game of the season and it was a tight affair then as was today’s game. The pitch was a little bit bobbly which both teams had to get used to and was a good leveller.

The game started off slowly as Herne Bay ladies found it difficult to string passes to one another with a little bit of panicking at times and forcing the play, making simple mistakes and putting ourselves under needless pressure. It was on 12 minutes when disaster struck. A misplaced throw on, saw one of the Ashford Ladies hit the ball from a wide area which sailed over Breeze Handley’s head into the goal. This was the only real shot or attack Ashford had in the game as the competent back four once again dealt with most forward attacks Ashford had. It took a while for Herne Bay to get into this game, but chances fell for Vicky Holness and Harriet Chapman but neither could put that final touch and see the ball in the back of the net. Towards the end of the half, Herne Bay started to play better with quick passing opening up the Ashford defence but were thwarted by last minute defending and some excellent goalkeeping. The half time whistle came and we needed to regroup.
From the amount of chances we had in the second half this game should have been put to bed very early on. However it felt at times today that the ball would just not go in. We threw everything including the kitchen sink to find that equalising goal but it just didn’t seem to want happen today. Chances again for Holness, Chapman, Foster, Tullet, Tracy, Farrow and Kay were all narrowly missed, well saved or hit the woodwork. Thankfully the second half seemed to go slowly so chances were always going to happen. With several minutes of injury time to be played, we threw players forward in hope of finding that equalising goal. We came close on a couple of occasions but it wasn’t until the final seconds that we finally found the crucial equalising goal. A free kick was awarded in our own half and with quick thinking Lesley Kay pumped the ball into the penalty box for Harriet Chapman to tap the ball past the out rushing goalkeeper. Finally the persistence paid off and we were heading into extra time. Ashford were demoralised and we went for the kill, it didn’t take long for Chapman to claim her second of the game 8minutes into the first half of extra time. Although ensuring we kept the lead, tiredness was setting in and we needed to be focused as one slip, one awkward bounce or one misplaced pass could see Ashford cause problems. However resilience and determination shone through in the second period of extra time and it only took a few minutes to finish the game off as Harriet Chapman completed her hat trick on 110 minutes with Kate Foster adding a minute later to seal the victory. Herne Bay played out the rest of the match to secure a third semi-final of the season.
Although not our greatest performance to date, true resilience, determination and the will to win out conquered all. Ashford played well and gave is something to think about and were focused themselves to frustrate us on many occasions. The never give up attitude was there to be seen by all and for that I’m very proud of how far this team has come this year. We do have things to work on to help us improve but the ladies know what is expected for the remaining season to achieve more success. We now face either Anchorians or Milford & Witley away in the semi-final of the league cup. With the season at the half way mark we are in good position to be successful again, but we will take one game at a time and ensure we set up to win.

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

Player of the Match: Vicky Holness