The Tiz & Tor Show

Faversham Elizabethians (0) 1
Chapman og

Herne Bay Ladies (4) 7
Tulett (3), Holness (4)

South East Counties Women’s League Division One (East)
Sunday 4th May 2014
Abbey School, Faversham

by Anthony Deer

Finally the last game of another fantastic season, our opponents were Faversham Elizabethans. With only the three points to play for, regardless of what the result we finished second in the league to Long Lane. But with a great record of keeping 9 clean sheets in a row, we wanted that tenth one.

A few changes to today’s squad with Sarah Holmes(Family), Kate Foster(Ankle), Breeze Handley(Rib) and Charlie Hayes who had her first boxing match last night all missing. A few changes were needed, Lesley Kay went in goal, Lauren Wiltshire and Bella Smith both started with Harriet Chapman moving to the wing giving the chance for Isabella Tulett to play up front with Vicky Holness. There was no change to the back four.

Whether or not we didn’t hear the whistle or we had end of seasonitus but within a minute we conceded our first goal in ten matches. A rare occurrence but a bit of confusion led to Harriet Chapman passing past Lesley Kay in goal! A little bit shell shocked it took a while before we found our rhythm, although creating many chances we couldn’t find the back of the net, and it began to have that feel of it just not being our day.

However, on 28 minutes we finally got the break through. Isabella Tulett scored her first, from here it was all one way traffic. In a remarkable five minutes just before half time, Vicky Holness completed a hat trick, the first hit both posts and the cross bar before Holness tapped in the rebound, two minutes later Vicky calmly put the ball past the keeper and then straight from the restart, we gained possession and Carly Farrow put a good through ball for Holness to take round the goalkeeper. The half time whistle went.

Now, although I had a little moan about the way we played in the first 20 minutes, the ladies responded by playing some great football resulting in many chances. But it was in the 57th minute when Tulett scored her second of the match with a fine finish at the near post after a good run past the last defender. We came close on numerous occasions but couldn’t get it past the keeper but we kept going and it was the 83rd minute when Isabella Tulett completed her hat trick. Holness completed her scoring from the best pass of the day from Bella Smith which allowed Vicky to take it round the goalkeeper, shrug off a defender and put the ball into the empty net.

Although conceding our first goal in ten matches, a comfortable win never the less, good performances from Bella Smith and Isabella Tulett shows that Herne Bay Ladies have a great future. Vicky Holness again is top goal scorer for the season but more pleasing is our defensive record with only 10 goals conceding in this year’s league campaign. With I believe 28 goals conceded in all competitions (28 games) with 11 of them conceded against Gillingham and London Corinthians both who are divisions above us and are sitting at the top of their respective leagues.

All in all another satisfying season with two more trophies added to the cabinet!

Herne Bay Squad: Lesley Kay, Emma Brown, Rachel Tracy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Lauren Wiltshire, Carly Farrow, Bella Smith, Harriet Chapman, Vicky Holness, Isabella Tulett, Elizabeth Lehan.

Player of Match: Harriet Chapman