Title Race Builds

Herne Bay Ladies (4) 5
Tullett 5, 44. Farrow 35, 88, Holness 24

Anchorians 2nds (0) 0

South East Counties Women’s Football League Division One (East)
Sunday 30th March 2014
at Bell Meadow

by Anthony Deer

(photo: Tullett stabs home the first of five)

With three games remaining in this year’s campaign and knowing any loss will hand Long Lane the league title, we need to go into the remaining fixtures with the confidence that Long Lane could drop that point. Today we welcomed Anchorians 2nds to Bell Meadow. The reverse fixture was the last time we conceded a goal in the league. However we came away 3-2 winners. Today we had to be at our best and ensure we got the points needed, with one eye on the cup final Wednesday, I was hoping to be able to rest some players throughout the match. Harriet Chapman (Ankle) and Emily Hayward (Family) were the only two unavailable but Isabella Tulett replaced Harriet up top.

The game started brightly and we were getting use to the high line that Anchorians were playing as we found ourselves offside a few times in the opening minutes. But it was on 5 minutes we created our first real chance, a great through ball saw Tullett calmly pass round the goalkeeper to settle our nerves. We created chances but just couldn’t find that second goal quickly, it was 24 minutes when we scored our next goal. Holness stepped up to take a free kick wide, but saw that the goalkeeper was slightly off her line and with a looping free kick managed to put it over the goalkeeper into the top corner. Some good play down the left from Sarah Holmes who put the ball into Holness who found Carly Farrow at the back post who then turned the ball into the net. Just before half time we put the tie to bed when Tullett tapped in from three yards after a rasping shot deflected off the goalkeeper in to the path of the fortunate Tullet.

We played some lovely football at times during the first half and this was said at half time. Knowing that we had practically won the tie, I said to the girls to take things easy as not to risk any silly injuries ready for the final on Wednesday.

The second half wasn’t a great spectacle but fair play to Anchorians they came out trying to find a way through our back four but could only revert to shots from distance in which Breeze Handley dealt with ease. It’s now nine hours of football in the league since we conceded a goal, the defence has been solid all season and take pride in maintaining clean sheets. A few changes were made to rest those who had picked up niggling injuries over the last few weeks and to give others the chance to get some match time.

Only a great save from the Anchorians keeper from Holmes’ denied her from scoring her second of the season and last ditched defending thwarted Farrow’s back heal. But it wasn’t until the 88th minute when we scored our final goal of the game when player of the match Carly Farrow was put through by Vicky Holness who took the ball round one defender and then calmly lobbed the ball over the Anchorians keeper to make it 5-0.

Straight after the game I was given the score of the Long Lane game against Charlton Development and I was gutted to read that Long Lane had scored an 86th minute penalty to secure the three points. With only two game remaining it is still in the hands of Long Lane but we will be making sure they are looking over their shoulder for the remaining fixtures. Up next is our final in the KCFA Women’s Plate against Bromley Ladies on Wednesday at Sevenoaks Town FC ground, 7.45 KO. A tough game but should be entertaining as I know our ladies are not going to give up that trophy easily!

Next Sunday we host Charlton Athletic Development which is being played at Winch’s Field 2:00pm KO.

Herne Bay Match Squad: Breeze Handley, Emma Brown, Beth Nugent, Rachel Tracy, Debbie Blackmore, Lesley Kay, Kate Foster, Sarah Holmes, Carly Farrow, Vicky Holness, Isabella Tullett, Lauren Wiltshire, Charlie Hayes, Bella Smith, Elizabeth Lehan

Player of the Match: Carly Farrow